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liSToirs ma Lom m 

LO]VO^ H-A^N^G-E. "Creedmoor." 

As used by the Rifle Teams. 44 Cal., 34inch barrels. 

A— Pistol Grip Stcck, Vernier and Wind Gauge Sights, -mth Spirit Level and 

two extra Discs $100 00 

E— Plain Stock, Flat Butt PIate,Vernier and Wind Gauge Sights, with iSpirit 

Level and two extra Discs • 75 00 

C— Military Stock, Vernier and Wind Gauge Sights • 55 00 

D— Same as A, except Rubber Butt and Tip, and Checked fore-end, includ- 
ing Spirit Level and two extra Discs 125 00 

E— Same as D, except selected curly polished stock, and extra finish 

throughout 150 00 

Using C. P. Cartridges 40 Cal. 70 Grs., 44 Cal. 77 Grs., 45 Cal. 70 Grs. 50 Cal. 70 Grs. 

38 in. 30 in. 

V— Sporting Stock,Combination Peep and open rear,Beech Front Sight#31 00 $32 00 

li— Sporting Stock, Tang Peep Rear, Beech Front Sight; 36 50 37 50 

U -Creedmoor Stock, Pist ol Grip, Tang Peep Rear, Beech Front Sight 47 50 48 50 
D— Sporting Stock, Pistol Grip, Tang Peep Rear, Wind Gauge, Front 

Sight 4800 4800 

E— Sporting Stock, Pistol Grip, Vernier Rear, Wind Gauge FroQt Sight 56 00 57 00 
F — Creedmoor Stock, Pistol Grip, Vernier Rear, Wind Gauge Front 

Sight, Rubber Butt and Tip, and checked fore end 67 00 68 00 

SHORT Hj^NOE. 

Using Cartridges 38 Cal. ex-long, R. F. or C. F., 40 Cal. 50 Grs. C. F. only, 44 Cal. S. & 
W , 0. t'. only, 44 Cal. ex-long, R. F. or C. F., 46 Cal. R. F. only. 

26 in. 30 in. 
A— Sporting Stock and Combination Peep and Open Rear Sight, Beech 

Front Sight *.... $30 00 $3100 

B— Sporting .-tocJc, Tang Peep Rear Sight, Beech Front Sight 35 50 36 50 

C— Creedmoo/ Stocl:. Pistol Grip, Tang Peep Rear Sight, Beech Front 

Sight : 4550 4600 

D— Creedmoor Sfcock,Pistol Grip,Vernier Rear Sight, Beech Front Siglit 53 50 54 50 
E— Creedmoor Stock, Pistol Grip, Vernier Rear Sight, Wind Gauge 

Front Sight , 55 00 56 00 

Using 38 Cal., 44 Cal., rim fire, 38 Cal. 44 Cal. S. & W., 40 Cal., 44 Cal., 77 Gr's. 45 Cal. 
50 Cal., center fire. 

36 in. 

Sporting Stock, Plain Open Sights $2500 

For each 2 inches additional length to either above finish Rifies 1 00 

These Rifles of Weights varying from 8 to 13 lbs., are kept in stock. When made 
up to special order an additional charge of $5 will be made. 

No. 2 HIinLE. 

33 Cal., 33 Cal., 38 Cal., 44 Cal., Rim Fire. 

Plain Sights, Plain Finish, 34 inch weight 5 to 6 lbs '. $20 00 

Same, 36 inch 31 fO 

Same, 28 inch 33 00 

Made to order, of extra weight and length, price same as for Hunter's Rifle of 
corresponding style. 

Military United States model and Spanish model 16 50 

Same, with bayonet...* 18 50 

" Springfield model $13.00 $15.00 with bayonet. 

" Egyptian model 17.00 30.50 with sabre. 

*' CivilGuard 17.00 30.50 " " 

" Carbine . 16.00 

Send for Illustrated Catalogue. Address 

P. o. Box, 3994. E. REMINGTON & SONS, 

Armory, Ilion, K. Y. 283 BROADWAY, i^. Y. 



TTJlXTiJD EDITIOIsT. 



Modern Observations 

—ON— 

ElfLl iHO©TINi 



-WITH AN— 



IMPROVED SYSTEM OF SCORE BOOK, 



-AND INCLUDING — 



SILICATE SLATE FOR USE ON THE RANGE. 

(Printed on Green Paper to shield the eyes from bright sunlight.) 



I*rice Entire, - - - - ^l.OO. 

, . _ 



.A.TjrmojEt.. 



(^/irX- 



281 & 283 Broadway, N. Y. City. 



Copyrighted, 1880, by Edwin A. Pebrt. 



(/?fv) 



PREFACE. 



In presenting the within conclusions, drawn entirely from original 
personal observations and practice, the writer has endeavored to savor them 
with a concise conversational manner of presentment, 

However unimportant little things may appear, none are overlooked 
here. 

What has proved so perplexing with all other works on Rifle Shooting 
is herein avoided ; each item having a separate heading, properly indexed, 
thus enabling the riflemen to turn instantly to the information desired. 

The young rifleman will not necessarily be encouraged to enter the lists 
when he discovers that his pathway is beset with so many obstacles. It is 
not however the fact that satisfactory results cannot be obtained by begin- 
ners; and, once started, the infatuation with the science comes in the con- 
tinued victories over these very obstacles . In all phases of rifle shooting it 
is a glorious fact that all of the difficulties treated on herein do not combine 
as an army to obstruct the path to the bull's-eye at one time, but, like the 
legions of the xlrmy of the Potomac in its earlier history, they present them- 
selves in detail for defeat at the hands of moderate skill. 

The diffidence that the author might feel in treating so arbitrarily on 
the very many points on which the best riflemen honestly differ is overcome 
by the fact that no rules exist on competent authority to be overturned by 
the writer's treatment, and the conclusions are arrived at by the light that 
close attention and careful experiment can only give. 

It would be natural to expect in a science resting on so many principles 
that the first attempt to bring all those principles into subjection would meet 
with criticism which would modify positions taken. Within the years that 
this book has been before the public, no writer of original matter or criticism 
has differed with the manual, The conclusion is that its rules are correct 
and deserving of careful study. 

In changing the score diagrams, the field of usefulness of the book is 
enlarged. Sir Henry Half ord very kindly gave the suggestion, and the short 
and mid -range shooters desired it. Care has been taken to preserve the 
identity of the 1st class target. The dotted circle ia the long-range bull's 
eye will serve as a carton or for a mid-range bull's eye, and is all the altera- 
tion needed to complete a 2d class target, as ihe outer circle is obsolete here. 
The other dotted circles form a 3d class target. The spaces for writing in 
conditions have been materially enlarged, and this doubtless leaves the book 
without cause for objection. 



The work has been supported not only by the men who needed it for 
constant use, but by the advertisers. The author saw that without their aid 
failure would be the result, with their aid a good article could be produced. 
Riflemen should therefore feel kindly toward the advertisers for helping' 
them to buy a good score-book and slate. 

The green paper has proved successful in shielding the eyes from the 
reflection of the bright sun, and has probably contributed to the favor in 
which the book is generally held. 

An article on long-range, with military rifles, has been added. 

In view of the fact that position and sights for Military Rifles have been 
revolutionized, the author respectfully calls attention to his caustic words 
on pages 15, 23 and 24, written oil those subjects in advance of the changes 
made. 

The author requested the representative exponents of the two styles of 
off-hand shooting, viz. , off-hand and hip-rest, to write articles on, and fur- 
nish their pictures taken in, their favorite positions. This was done in a 
spirit of fairness to the devotees of both styles. Capt. W. H. Jackson has 
complied but * * * * declined, as he was " not necessarily tenacious 
about his position." The author understands that he is now practicing ojf- 
hand proper. 

The article on the Long-range Tournament is, the author believes, the 
first attempt yet made to make a scientific tabulation and deduction from 
such a match, and as the tables and targets selected for elevation are pub- 
lished, the reader is enabled to follow or disagree with the author's treat- 
ment. Originating the match for the purpose, shooting in it with the 
preconceived idea of watching every detail, the author gladly accepts the 
responsibility of his conclusions. 

At the request of a great many the old slate is restored, but the new 
diagrams are retained in the book out of deference to the Short and Mid- 
range shooters. 

The writer respectfully calls attention to the fact that this book is NOT 
gathered from obsolete authorities. There are no effete notions in it. It is 
not voluble in verbiage, but is terse, original, modern and complete. 

Very respectfully, 

EDWIN A. PERRY. 









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INDEX. 



Page. 

Accident 20 

Acids 17 

Aiming 33,25 

Allowance for Elevation and Wind 32 
Ammunition, Loading . . 20, 21 
Anger ...... 34, 36 

Angle of Hit 3S 

Anvil 16 

Association Regulations. . . 45 
Attentio.i 34, 35 



Ball Starter. 
" Seater . 
Barometer . 
Beginning Score 
Beginner 



Borrowing 35 

Bullets . . . .17, 19, 20, 36 

Cap 16, 20, 36 

Cap Extractor 18 

Cartridges, Loaiim: . . . yjQ 
Cautiousness . . . . .35 
Chambering ..... 14 

Cleaning Rifle 31 

" Shells 16 

" Rods 21 

Clothing 33 

Clouds 26, 27 

Coaching 35 

Cold and Heat 39 

Contesting Shots .... 34 
Conversation ..... 34 

Diet ....... 33 

Delaying Target . . . .35 

Direction of Wind .... 29 

Elevations . . 17, 26, 29, 30, 32, &c. 

See headings that call for changes. 
Excitement .... 34, 36 

Exercise 33 

Experiment ..... 34 
Eye 26, 27 

" Glasses 36 



Figuring Elevations . 
Firing, Errors in pull off . 
Fixed Ammunition . 
Fleeting Clouds 

Flinch 

Force of Wind . 
Fog . . . , . 
Front Position . 
Funnel with Tube . 
Generosity .... 



13, 



33 

25, 36 

20, 21 

28, 36 

. 23 

29 

. 26 

24 

19, 20 

35 







PAdfi. 


Getting Elevations . 


. . 32 


Glass Spotting . 




. . 31 


Goose Eggs 




. . 35 


Heat and Cold . 




. . 29 


Holding Plumb. 




. 15, 24, 31 


Hygrometer 




. . 30 


Keeping Score . 




31, 35 


Kneeling . 




. . 23 


Leading (ledding) - 




. . 21 


Light .... 




28, 36 


" and Shade . 


. 2i 


), 27, 28, 36 


Line of Sight 




. . 23 


Loading Implements 




. . 18 


*' Rifle . . 




. . 30 


" Ammunition 




. . 30 


Locality at Firing Point 




23 


Long-range Outfit . 




. . 13 


Low Position . 




22 


Markers 




34, 36 


Measures and Weights 




. . 19 


Mid-range Position . 




. . 23 


" Outfit 




. . 13 


Mind . . . . 




. . 34 


irage . . . . 




. 26 


Moisture 




. . 30 


Muzzle-Loader . 




14, 31 


Nerves 




23, 35 


Oil 




21 


Offhand 




. 23 


Outfit for Beginner . 




. 13 


" " Mid-range 




. 13 


" " Long-range 




13 


Packing Cartridges . 




. . 20 


Patches on Bullets • 




. 18 


Personal Habits 




. 33 


Plumbing Sights 




15, 16 


Politeness . . . . 




. 35 


Powder . . . . 


17, 19, 20, 36 


Position . . . . 


22, 23, 34, 36 


Protesting . . . . 


. . 34 


Prone Position . 




. 24 


Preface . . , . 




5 


Pull-Off 




23, 24, 25 


Pulling the Trigger . 




25 


Quarreling . . . . 




. 34 


Reasons for Failures 




• 36 


Recapper . 




. 18 


Rifle, Care of . 




. 14 


" Cleaning . 




. 21 


"" Failures on accoun 


, of 


. 36 



-Loaders 



Rifle, Kind . 

" Loading 

" Muzzle 
Rods for Cleaning: 
Rules and Regulations Association 
Running for Train 
Scales and AV eights 
Score Diagrams c 
Shade and Light 
Shades on the Sights 
Shell Crimper . 
Shells . 
Shoes . 

Shooting on Wrong 
Sights . 

" Discs . 



Sighting Shots . 

" Errors in 
Silicate Slate 
Snapping Shots . 
Spectacles . 
Spirit Level 
Spotting Shots . 
Summary . 
Sunlight 



Target 



14 

20 
14 
21 
s 45 
14, 33 
19 



27, 28, 36 
16 
18 

16, 20, 36 

33 

35 

14, 36 

16 



24 

24, 28 

5 

23, 24, 25 



15, 36 

31 

J, 62, 63 

5, 27, 28 



Table of Differences in Elevation 
Table of Weights and Measures 
Talking ..... 
Target — Shooting on Wrong . 
Targets— Small with Pegs 
Team Shooting . . . .39, 

Telescope 

Thermometer > . . . ■ 

Time . 

Title ....... 

Trajectory 

Tube with Funnel . 
Unaccountable 



&C.33 
19 
34 
35 
31 
40, 41 
26, 31 
29 
36 



19, 20 



Verdigris 16 

Yernier (see Elevations) . . 15 

Wad 18, 21 

" Rigby and Metford . . 18, 21, 22 

Walking Fast 33 

Warming Shots .... 24, 25 

Weather 25, 30 

Weights and Measures ... 19 
Weighing Powder and Bullet . 20 

Wind 28, 32, 36 

AVrong Target, Shooting on . . 3 



^^^^^.m^mmmco^,^^^ 




LOWELL, MASS. 

MANUFACTURERS OF THE 

BRASS, SOLID HEAD, CENTRAL FIRE, RELOADING SHELLS 
AND CARTRIDGES. 

Adapted to all Military and Sporting Rifles and Pistols, and in use by the 

ARMY and NAVY of the UNITED STATES. 

and several Foreign Governments. Rim-fire ammunition of all kinds. Special 
attention given to the manufacture of 

Cartridges for Target Practice. 

Send for Illustrated Catalogue. 

FOWLER & FULTON, General Agents, 300 Broadway, N. Y, 



IS 
DO 

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Manufacturers of every 


description of 






MILITARY 


AND SPORTING METALLIC AMMUNITION. 


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, 



JAMES G. DIMOND'S IRON WORKS 



X^STABIilSHf^D 1853. 



NEW YORK. 



Nos. 209 & 211 West Thirty-third Street, 

Manufacturers of Iron Store Fronts, Columns, Beams, Doors, Shutters, 

Skyliglnts, Gratings, Railings, Vault and Area Lights, and 

Iron "Worlc in General. 

Also, Manufacturers of the American Cast Iron, CMlled Faced, Regulation 

CO 



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They have during the past season, been put to the most severe tests of Company 
and Platoon Firing, and have proved far superiorto the imported English Targets. 
The Targets are made of a quality of iron specially adapted for the purpose. 
Guaraitteed against all Imperfections ; thoroughly tested before delivery^ 
in reference to Flaws ^ Sand, or Blow -holes. 
Tlie following are some of tlie Testimonials Received: 
James G. Dimond, Esq. New York, Jan. 2, 1878. 

Dear Sir— It gives me pleasure to say, that the Iron Targets manufactured by you 
and used at Creedmoor during the past year, have given very general satisfaction 
as to durability and strength, they having been subjected to many severe tests by 
the different distances and classes of firing. Very Respectfully, 

Capt. JOSEPH G. STORY, Member of Range Com. N.R.A. 
James G. Dimond, Esq. Nevs^ York, Dec. 37, 1877. 

Dear Sir — The Targets furnished by you for the Range at Creedmoor have stood 
the severest test during the season of 1877, and have given general satisfaction. I 
can cheerfully recommend them as being equal in all respects to those imported 
from England. Yours, etc., 

Col. GEO. D. SCOTT, Member of Range Committee. 

J. G. Dimond, Esq. New York, Jan. 4, 1878. 

Dear Sir— In reply to your letter of 11th inst., I would state, that the first Targets 

furnished by you were a little rough on the edges, but have stood the test which 

has been applied to them. The last have been all right. Respectfully yours, 

Col. GEO. W. WINGATE, Chairman of Range Com. N. R. A. of A. 
Mr. J. G. Dimond : Creedmoor, Jan. 19, 1878. 

Dear Sir— The Target Slabs furnished by you, and now in use, are far superior to 
any ever used here. Yours truly, WM. H. BROWER, Supt. of Range. 

James G. Dimond, Esq. New York, Jan. 5, 1878. 

DearSir— By close observation of the effect of the Rifle practice at the Creedmoor 
Range during the past season, upon the Targets of the National Rifle Association, 
I am convinced that the Target Plates furnished by you met every reasonable 
requirement, and are in all respects superior to the imported Iron Target. 

Genl. DANIEL D. WYLIE, Chief of Ordnance, S. N. Y, 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS m RIFLE SHOOTING. 



OUTFIT FOR A BEGINIITER. 

A beginner should always start at short-range where he can acquire 
quick results, the elements offering but little opposition. Here steadiness 
and the art of holding a rifle properly can be acquired, and deviations, 
scarcely ever great enough to take the bullet off the target, can readily be 
discovered by the unassisted eye. Any military rifle, some india-rubber 
and matches to blacken the sights, a wooden rod and flannel patches for 
occasional cleaning, the requisite quantity of fixed ammunition and a 
score book, are quite enough to establish the quality of the man. 



OUTFIT FOR MID-RANGE. 

Satisfied to know more of the art, sporting rifles should next be em- 
ployed ; tliey involve cleaning after each shot. Three wiping rods, one for 
brush; a bottle of water, and a little sperm oil should be added. A good 
glass for spotting the hits is necessary, and a neat box for carrying the 
apparatus will be found very handy. A general remark as to the elements 
is sufficient, and ammunition, to be had ready made, is yet quite good 
enough. Here at mid-range, the eye becomes accustomed to the fine sights 
and the position becomes confirmed. Fine shooting is of ten the result at 
this range. 

OUTFIT FOR LON€}-RANGE. 

A fine breech-loading rifle, the best made, having pistol grip, a full 
sett of fine sights, Vernier, wind-guage, spirit-level, and extra front sight 
discs; loading implements, viz., recapper and cap seater, ball starter 
ball seater, shell crimper, funnel with tube, and scales and weights; barom- 
eter, thermometer, hygrometer, long-range glass and stand; ammunition 
and implement case, a fine score book, one wooden rod with brush, three 
wooden rods with slit, water bottle, oil and can and brass shells, powder, 
bullets and caps ad libitum. 



14 MOBEBK OBSERVATIONS OK RIFLE SHOOTIKGl. 



RIFLES. 

It is not the author's intention to attempt a treatise on rifles, beginning 
with the one used on the ark. A few homely suggestions, as to generalities, 
will not interfere with the rifle makers altitudinous dome of thought, and 
may prove sign posts to guide young riflemen. If muzzle-loaders could be 
cleaned after each shot, with the same ease and certainty as breechloaders, 
they would prove much the best shooters, as they can stand lightning powder 
and hard bullets; and consequently very light rifling; as it is, without 
cleaning, they have, in the hands of the foreign teams, proved worthy of 
the highest consideration for accuracy, while there is little trouble in load- 
ing, none in cleaning, and no shells to cart around and pay for. 

It is conceded, however, that the breech-loaders, made for rapid shoot- 
ing, prove the best for fine work; as the rifleman is able to shoot from an 
absolutely clean barrel each time. Labor in cleaning, time in loading, ex- 
pense and all other inconveniences, are as nothing in comparison with one 
more point on a good score. In a breech-loader look for a good, thick 
barrel with a pronounced but light rifling, minus all attempts at gaining 
twist; a fine breech action not liable to accident or to be sprung by the 
powder, chambered for a short shell, pistol grip and fine sights. All of the 
foregoing refers to fine long-range or mid-range rifles. For short-range 
a breech-loader that does not require cleaning more than once in ten shots, 
of almost any make, is good enough. 

In the advertising pages each rifle of any note will probably be 
fully extolled, and in a manner more satisfactory to the owner than the 
author is capable of doing. 



CARE OF THE RIFLE. 

Most men need no caution about taking care of the rifle. Its cost, 
beauty, and its response to calls to duty, all enhance the affection with 
which a gentleman regards his rifle. A man who will put his rifle away 
dirty, or defer its cleaning to a more convenient time will never shoot 
well. One experiment will prove the author's idea and cost the price of 
a new rifle. Ten minutes will prove sufficient time to enable the rifleman 
to clean and oil the barrel, action and lock thoroughly. Two or three 
fooling shots less, after the close of a string, will give ample time to clean 
up before you have to run for the train. 



SIGHTS. 

Open or military sights, as at present made, lack even the appear- 
ance of genius that a savage might be expected to employ in their manu- 



MOPEKN OBSEUVATIOjN^S ON BIFLE SHOOTING. 15 

facture. There is no evidence, certainly in the sights, that a civilized in- 
dividual ever gave their improvement a thought. The fact that many 
off-hand shots have been successful with them, reflects no credit upon the 
maker of the sights, hut rather challenges the admiration of the world for 
their skill. 

The same intelligence that a private soldier is required to employ in 
moving the slide of the rear sight to the required elevation could be 
applied in moving the rear sight right or left as a wind guage— especially, 
if (contrary to the sighting of all military rifles now) when moved up or 
down, right or left, the sights would cause the rifle to send a bullet on its 
proper course. The sight is too far from the eye and too cumbersome. 
Heary Ward Beecher once said, " Place a privilege in a man's hands and he 
will learn to enjoy it;" so the author says, place decent sights in a private 
soldier's hands and he will soon learn their use. How to use what we have 
is the subject for our consideration. For off-hand shooting, the lowest part 
of the middle of the back notch, the top part of the front sight and the 
white just under the bull's-eye, form a proper line of sight for a clear, still 
day. 

For mid-range shooting the prone position is exacted with a military 
rifle. Invert the sliding bar of the rear sight, which then presents a flat 
surface; determine what point of the flat surface, always toward the wind, 
will be desirable to properly align the front sight and the white just under 
the bull's-eye with it, thus making allowance for wind; the sight having 
been previously blackened with the smoke of burning rubber; draw the file 
of your knife blade over that point just the least bit; a small bright spark 
will show which enables the eye to take the finest sight. A Vernier scale 
for guaging elevations with the sliding bar should be used. Be careful to 
hold the Tifle plumb. 

Sporting, i. e., hunting guns are ornamented (?) with all kinds of 
hybrid sights, each one of the many requiring especial study as to how it 
can best be used. 

Fine rifles, only, seem to have had proper attention in regard to sights. 

Fine Vernier sights are the thing. Much improvement has been made ' 
in them in the last year. The Robbins-Madison Vernier and wind-guage 
combined, and Sharp's new Vernier are excellent. 

The fine foreign Vernier sights are so divided that they can be used on the 
handle or butt of the stock with the same elevations; the divisions for the 
butt being proportionately larger, or assimilated divisions. Wind guages 
are necessary and should be made in hundredths of inches. Always screw 
the barrel towards the wind. 

Spirit levels are as necessary as the sights, for if the rifle is not plumb 
the trajectory describes a side instead of its top curve and the bullet falls 
risjht or left low. 

Above all, see to it that your wind guage block is centered properly, 
that is, so that if there is no wind, the wind guage stands at zero; that it is 



16 MODEEIT 0B8EKVATI0NS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

plumb; that the Vernier is plumb; and that when they are plumb with 
each other and the rifle\ that the spirit level is plumb with all. Front sight 
discs are made in great variety of patterns. Open bead supported by one, 
two, three, andfour prongs; open bead and bar; split bar or Goodwin bar; 
callaper, fine, medium, and coarse; pin-head; and many others varying 
with the imagination and fancy of man. The open bead is more generally 
used by the Americans than any other. The bar-bead and callaper are 
used to advantage by some of our best riflemen. 

The Australians use the pin-head, triple callaper and bar-bead. The 
Scotchmen use the Goodwin bar and pin-head, and the Irishmen mostly 
the Goodwin bar. The author recommends the pin-head for off-hand 
work and the open-bead for fine work; the latter sight can be varied in size 
of aperture and thickness of metal surrounding the aperture. The bar- 
bead covers the lower portion of the target. That sight which gives the 
eye an opportuity to see the bulls-eye plainly in position, and at the same 
time to casually observe the balance of the target, is in the author's opinion 
the best. Do not use a sight that compels the eye to be a judge of quantity 
of white allowed above, below o^on either side of the bull's-eye, as you 
will be interfering with the uses for which the Vernier and wind-guage are 
especially employed. 



SHADES ON THE SIGHTS. 

It is allowable and fair to have shades over your sights on fine rifles. 
By all means procure them and have them nice. The spirit-level above 
all should be shaded, as the eye can then see it to much better advantage. 
Shades are not necessary when the sky is, and is likely to remain, over- 
cast. 



SHELLS. 

Brass shells are the best under all circumstances. Steel shells have 
been tried fairly and condemned on account of cost, liability to split if 
they do not fit the chamber accurately, etc. Short shells, holding the 
powder, with one-eight of an inch to spare for seating the ball, are the 
best. 

Not enough care is bestowed on cleaning shells. A residuum sweats 
the shell and dampens the new charge. Verdigris, in any portion of the 
shell, kills the gas of the burning powder and causes the bullet to drop 
low. Especially is verdigris in the cap holes fatal to good shooting. 
Warm water, a good brush and manual labor, backed up with plenty of 
ambition, will clean shells; then dry thoroughly in an oven, and finally 
wipe them well inside and out with a dry cloth. 

See that the cap hol'^s are free, that the anvir(if so objectionable a 



MODERIT OBSERVATIONS ON KIFLE SHOOTING, 17 

thing is used) is in its place, and then seat the cap home below the level of 
the shell-head. All acids should be avoided. 



POWDER. 

Muzzle-loaders, with no breech action to be strained, needing clean 
powder, using hard bullets, burn lightning powder to advantage. 

Breech-loaders, that can be cleaned after each shot, burn slow powder 
to the best advantage ; the powder, acting with gradual accelerating 
force, does not strain the action. 

In last year's edition the author endeavored to give relative elevations 
for the powder then generally used. Experiments which have been made 
within the year attest the earnest endeavor of the povv^der manufacturers 
to grow apace with all other improvements calculated to produce perfect 
results. Of course the great variation in the different lots of powder 
made upset to-day rules made yesterday; especially when comparing one 
company's powder with another. There is a greater variation among 
shooters as to what suits their special desires^ consequently a greater num- 
ber of makers and brands swell the number of comparative elevations to 
such proportions as to fairly put it out of the author's power to do the 
subject justice. Perhaps no one man has made or can make all the ex- 
periments necessary to exhaust the list. The writer will always gladly 
give any information asked for, gleaning it from the best sources, if it is 
not already in his possession. 

Keep your powder dry, alicays, the moment it gets damp it loses 
strength and evenness of quality, no matter how dry it may become subse- 
quently. The thousand and one ways in which powder will gather mois- • 
ture need not become a matter of experiment — simply and absolutely dry 
it must be kept. 

The capacity of rifles to burn powder is Avidely different, some rifles 
reducing elevations until 1 10 grains have been used, while others do not 
change elevations for any amount over 95 grains. Find the capacity of ' 
the rifle and then use two or three grains more. In putting the powder in 
the shell, a tube- from six to thirty inches long should be used through 
which to pour the powder; falling this distance it packs in the shell evenly; 
106 grains can be put into a medium shell easily. A short shell with 100 
grains are recommended for general use. 

As long as the rifle will burn the powder 1 point for 1 grain should be 
allowed in elevation at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. 



BULLETS. 

There is no doubt that every rifleman desires some improvement in 
bullets for breech loaders. With slow powder, hard bullets do not always 



18 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

upset; i. 6. take the grooves evenly. Soft bullets lead (led) more freely 
than hard ones; and, while all of them may go on the target, they do not 
average as close in to the center as hard ones. Hard bullets, while 
measuring better on the target, are liable at times to miss entirely. Nearly 
every make of rifle has its special bullet, and so to recommend any would 
be an unthankful task. A difiEerence of 10 grains in the weight of bullets 
calls for 1 point more or less elevation ; this fact is a sufficient suggestion 
as to the importance of weighing bullets as well as powder. 

There seems to be a constant desire existing, on the part of riflemen, to 
patch bullets better than they are patched at the factory. While there 
may be some little carelessness in properly performing this work, conse- 
quent on the ever absent sympathy between workman, or rather work- 
woman, and rifleman; and heightened by conversation, lunch-hour, late 
evening parties, etc, there is present, a Tidbit of doing this special work, 
that is to greater advantage than the rifleman's personal interest and close 
attention. To supplant the paper used is another opportunity for experi- 
ment. It is not the author's desire to curtail such innocent amusement, 
but every rifle-maker in the country is doing his best to better the present 
patching and far more scientifically than shooters can do it. 

In loading shells, care should be taken that the bullet fits the mouth 
of the shell, not too tight not too loose, that the bullet is seated just so far 
as another bullet, no farther. It is not strictly necessary that the bullet 
touch the powder — still too great a vacuum should be avoided. 

One -eighth of an inch is recommended as far enough to seat the ball. 
Use the ball-seater only to straighten the bullet in the shell. 



WADS. 

For muzzle-loaders the Rigby and Metford wads are the best and only 
thing that should be used. 

For breech-loaders no wads whatever should be used. The bullet 
should be seated directly on the powder. 



LOADING IMPLEMENTS. 

The loading implements, mentioned in outfit for long-range, need 
but little attention here. Invention, common to our country, has given us 
the best. The instrument for extracting the cap and replacing it with a 
new one is perfect. 

A shell crimper can be made by any machinist. A piece of steel one 
inch thick with a round hole of less calibre at one end than at the other is 
good enough; the difference in calibre should not be too great. 

A ball starter should be a piece of steel capable of just fitting in the 



I 



MODERN OBSERVATtOl^S OlST RtFLE SHOOTII^G. 19 

hole of the shell crimper, for spreading open the mouth of the shell, with 
a convenient handle. 

A ball seater is a piece of steel containing an exact duplicate of the 
chamber of the rifle and a portion of the barrel, with a plug sufl&ciently 
distant from the chamber, so that when the cartridge is made it can be in- 
serted in this false rifle, seating the bail in the shell and straightening it. 
It is claimed that ball seaters are now made to perfection. 

The funnel with tube can be improvised out of a tin whistle if neces- 
sary, care being taken to have the end of the tube crimped in or out, so 
that it will fit the mouth of the shell perfectly without entering it. The 
tube may be six or thirty inches long to suit requirements ; the longer the 
tube the closer the powder will pack. 

Scales and weights can be bought anywhere, but the author recom- 
mends the use of a fine article. 

Mr. J. P. Waters, Assayer, No. 13 John St., K Y. City, who is deeply 
interested in the art of rifle-shooting, and who is extremely courteous, has 
given the author permission to refer riflemen desiring something nice in 
this line to him; he will have scales and weights made to order for you 
and without charge for his services. 

TABLES FOR WEIGHTS A^STD MEASUKES. 
AVOIRDUPOIS WEIGHT. 

Drachms. 

16 = 1 oz. 
356 = 16 = 1 lb. 
7168= 448= 28= 1 quarter. 
28672= 1793= 112= 4 " = 1 cwt. 
573440 = 35840 = 3340 = 80 " = 20 " =1 ton. 
144 lbs. Avoirdupois = 175 lbs. Troy. 
1 drachm " = 21}i srs- " or Apothecaries weight. 

TROY WEIGHT. 

24 = 1 dwt. 
480= 20 '' = loz. 
5760 = 240 " =12 " lib. 
Grains- 

APOTHECARIES WEIGHT. 

Grrains. 

20 = 1 scruple. 
G0= 3 " = 1 drachm. 
480= 24 " =8 " = loz. 
5760 = 388 " = 96 " = 12 " 1 lb. 
The pound, ounce and grain are the same in Apothecaries and Troy Weights 
In the former, the ounce is divided into 8 drachms, the drachm into 3 scruples, and 
tne scruple in 20 grains. 

7,000 grains, Trov, = 1 lb. Avoirdupois. 
mM " '' ■ = 1 oz. 

The above table will be found very useful in weighing out powder and bullet., 
to load and reload cartridges. 

1 lb. of Powder will fill 100 50 calibre, 70 grain Cartridges. 
1 " " " 90 44 " 77 " 

1 » '' i. -^7 44 u 90 " 

1 " u u ,.344 u 95 .. 

1 " » 4* ^0 44 " 100 " 

1 " " " 66 44 " 105 " 

Bullets for 50-70 cartridges, weigh 173^ to the pound. 

;' 44-77 " " wys " " 

" 44-90 " " 12 8-11 •' " 



20 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIELE SSOOTlNa. 



LOADING AMMUNITION. 



1 



Fixed ammunition should iiave as mucli care in its preparation as any 
other detail necessary to good shooting. 

Shells should be used but twice in the majority of breech-loaders; 
there are rifles, however, that will admit of the use of shells many times. 

The shells must be absolutely clean. 

The shells should be crimped or expanded at the mouth so that the 
bullets will fit uniformly. 

The mouth of the shell should be smooth, so as not to cut the paper on 
the bullet. 

Where the head of the shell swells or springs when fired for the first 
time, before recapping, put it in the ball-seater and, placing a piece of 
wood over it, to guide and receive the blow, strike it until the head of the 
shell is sufficiently flattened. 

The cap should be seated deep; first, to make sure that it will explode; 
second, to have it below the head of the shell to avoid accident. 

A scratch mark should be made on the shell to enable the shooter to 
insert it in the rifle the same every time, the scratch mark being on top. 
The shell will the better fit the chamber when subsequently used. 

The powder should be weighed accurately, one charge right after the 
other, and carefully poured into the shell through a tube, with nothing to 
employ the mind until all the charges are weighed. 

Weigh the bullets carefully, assorting them so that enough will be 
found of one weight for a day's work or at least for one range. With a 
lead pencil mark how far they are to be inserted in the shell. Insert them 
carefully with the fingers, the better to be assured that the paper is not torn 
or ruffled up; then, with the ball-seater, straighten them. 

Carefully pack them in little boxes, that will contain 5 or 6 each, with 
paper or cloth to avoid shaking in transportation. 

Never have two or more kinds of ammunition in your box so that you 
can possibly mistake one for the other during a score. 

LOADING THE RIFLE. 

The rules of all well-regulated ranges are explicit in their injunctions 
as to putting the cartridge in the rifle. NEVER load a breech-loader 
except at the firing point, and then keep the muzzle towards the target. 
No possible amount of regret could ever repair the damage if by chance 
your rifle should ever once cause an accident. Many riflemen, on finding 
a cartridge fit tightly, seek a stump, and, grasping the hammer with their 
fingers, strike the breech block on the stump driving the cartridge into the 
chamber. The firing pin is in the center of the breech block; should it 
get caught and hit the cap, or should the cap be flush with the head of the 



MOBERiq- OBSERVATIONS OK BlFLE SHOOTIKa. ^1 

shell and the breech block set it off, disaster must ensue, for there is no 
support for the breech- block, which cannot be locked till it is closed. 
This is true of more than one kind of rifle. 

The muzzle-loader requires to have the powder weighed or measured 
carefully; the best method is probably to weigh the charges and put them 
in little glass phials — the bullets are specially prepared and do not vary 
much in weight. Oiled wads, which are intended to clean and lubricate 
the barrel, are manufactured expressly for muzzle-loaders. Press the 
bullet home carefully and, if conscious that the paper is disturbed in press- 
ing it down, discharge the piece in the dirt and reload. A mark on the rod 
will indicate when the ball is home. 



CLEANING. 

To describe the diversity of methods used in cleaning would be a task 
without equitable results. 

First — Water should be used freely on a brush to rinse out the residuum 
of the powder. The brush should have a wooden rod to be used for 
nothing else. 

Second — Dry flannel or Canton flannel rags should then be used with 
a slit rod so that the rags pass through and out and return, thus wiping 
the muzzle and avoiding the return of a bare rod, as in the case of a rod 
with a button. Continue wipina: till the barrel is clean. 

Third — A flannel rag saturated with oil should be used in another slit 
rod, same as dry rag, until the barrel is well oiled. 

Fourth — A fresh, clean rag in another slit rod should be used to wipe 
out the oil. Habit will soon control this last wiping so that the barrel will 
be left uniformly clean. 

A rifle will not lead (led) when cleaned as above. 

A rifle will lead at times when not cleaned as above. 

Four rods are necessary, and no more cumbersome than one. 

Be careful that there is no metal on any rod in such a position as to 
scratch the barrel. 

Lance wood rods, while more costly at first, last longer, have greater 
strength for less thickness and are nicer in every way than any other. 

Don't let any one inveigle you into the lazy habit of " a rub and ago. ' 
You might just as well shoot out of a muzzle-loader and thereby save 
much more trouble. Men who are too lazy to clean out their rifles, thor- 
oughly, will draw a picture of their laziness on the target, if perchance tTie 
bullets all get there. Too much oil or water in the barrel is only a differ 
ent kind of dirt. 

OIL. 

Never use sweet or olive oil. JNever use kerosene oil. Sperm oil and 



92 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

sewing-macliine oil arc tlie best. The latter can easily be procured at any 
sporting emporium. 

Rigby and Metford wads used in loading are also full of oil for lubri- 
cating these famous muzzle-loaders. Some riflemen use them to lubricate 
breech-loadeis. They are not intended for, and do not subserve the pur- 
pose as well as oiled rags. 



I 



POSITION. 

Tn endeavoring to favor certain positions the writer is not unaware of 
the difference in the formation of men. What will suit one cannot suit 
another. The author is free, however, to state what positions should be 
avoided. • Do not put the butt in the left arm pit, the shock will affect the 
heart. Do not recline the bead on the stock in such a way that the recoil 
or bound will jar the head— injury to the head and poor shooting at the 
last range will be certain. Do not hold the butt plate in the hand on the 
side from which the shot is flred, the arm being twisted in an unnatural 
shape will soon tire out and cause unsteadiness, and the recoil often t^mes 
gets the better of the hand, causing the sights to strike the eye. Lastly, 
do not waste any time experimenting with a fine rifle in the prone or front 
position. It is safe to aver that the next International match will find all 
of America's opponents on their backs. The "Farquharson" position, com- 
monly known as Fulton's position, is made up by bending the right knee 
about the left ankle, thus forming a crotch to support the barrel, the stock, 
passing by the head over the right shoulder, is seized at the butt plate by 
the left hand, the head resting on the left fore arm, the right hand at the 
trigger. This position is varied by grasping the thick of the barrel with 
the left hand and restmg the head on the stock, the recoil or rather bound 
is too severe for the head, and the hand does not always hold the recoil 
with the same degree of firmness. This latter position is still further 
varied by turning the body well over on the right side, the barrel resting 
on the left thigh. The objections remain the same. The position adopted 
by the Australian Team, said to have been first used by Fraser of the 
Scottish Team, is somewhat varied by different marksmen, and is the 
strongest position. The legs disposed as in the Fulton position, the butt 
of the piece resting in the right arm pit, the left hand supporting the head, 
right hand at the trigger. General Dakin varies this by putting the left 
hand behind the butt plate in the arm pit, the hand serving as a cushion 
to check the recoil. Allen uses the left hand at the swell of the barrel, 
pulling the butt into the right arm pit to reduce the chance for recoil. 
With these latter positions, the Vernier sight can be placed on the heel of 
the butt lengthening the leverage of sight. The Milner position is strong, 
with the exception that it is a very low one, the toe of the butt must al- 
most touch the ground (see Mirage). The knees bent to the left allow the 



MODEKN OBSEEVATIONS OlS" EIFLE SHOOTIITG. 23 

barrel to rest on the toes of both feet, the butt well in the arm pit, the left 
hand on the stock to plumb the piece, the right hand at the trigger. 

Do not change locality at which you lie down during a score; ten feet 
nearer to or further from the target will change elevation one half point 
or more. 



OFF-HAND AND MID-RANGE WITH OPEN SIGHTS. 

The following rules, written some time since by the author, and styled 
A, B, C's, are simple, terse and seem to cover the ground thorouglily : 

RULES. 

Stand erect on both hips, feet at right angles conveniently apart and 
firmly planted. 

Press the butt against the shoulder with both hands, the left hand 
grasping the piece firmly at or in front of the lower band. The lef t elbow 
under the piece, the right at the higlit of the shoulder. 

In issuing the first edition the author asked for criticism. The off- 
hand position is the only portion of the text objected to. The author 
admits that some fair shooting has been done with the elbow against the 
body but claims his position best, not only on its merits but, by every 
authority extant. With some the arm extended works still better. 

The lower part of the middle of the back notch, the top part of the 
front sight and the white just under the bull's-eye, forms a proper line of 
sight for a clear, still day. 

If the wind blows across the range aim a little toward the direction 
the wind comes from. 

Stop breathing when about to fire. 

Pull off with the second joint of the second finger, pull slowly till the 
piece fires; a jerk will spoil the shot and oftentimes pull clear off the 
target. If the shot goes off the target to the right aim to the left of the 
bull's-eye to counteract the error. It would be better to amend the error 
of pulling off which alone causes the difficulty. Keep the eye open and 
observe the aim until after the shot is fired, a flinch or fear of the ex- 
plosion will enhance the kick of the piece and demoralize the nerves. 
Practice in aiming and pulling off without cartridges should always be had 
at the firing point before firing. The sights should be so arranged, tem- 
porarily for this practice, that after pulling off, the aim can still be main- 
tained ; any deviation on account of firing can thus be noticed. 

The author has no kind words for the kneeling position. With breech- 
loaders, troops should be allowed to lie down, even at 200 yards. A man 
is better self -possessed, more sure of his aim, more safe and better under 
control when lying down. • A man standing, with the enemy close in front 
Js so preoccupied in loading and firing that his legs often get the better of 
his judgement and courage; causing him to run into unecessary danger (?) 



24 MODERN OBSEUVATIOKS ON RIFLE SHOOTiJSta. 

The front position is demanded in military shooting. The author thinks 
this demand erroneous. When the enemy is retreating, a fixed rest and 
certain aim, even at the cost of an instant of time, is better than support- 
ing the body as well as the rifle on the arms. When it comes time for re- 
treat the rifleman can turn over from his back and run twice as quick as 
he can gather himself from the prone position. When he turns over from 
the back position, his face is in the direction whither he desires to amble. 
The prone position should be thoroughly studied. Short-armed men may 
not be able to take the position recommended by the author, but they 
should approach as near to it as possible. 

If the target is at the north, face the north-east and lie down in that 
direction; strike the toes well into the ground, and settle the body down 
as low as possible; throw the left elbow over to the right, grasp the piece 
with the left hand from underneath, the fingers reaching as far around as 
possible; back of the hand to the right. As the muzzle of the piece is 
carried over to the left, to its proper alignment, it puts every muscle of 
the left arm on tension, and consequently there is no joint to wriggle or 
shake. The butt should be placed against the right shoulder, passing 
along and by the collar bone. The right arm is free to manipulate the 
piece. 

To make a crotch of the two forearms, and put the piece against the 
collar bone, is to have the bases of that crotch on the uncertain cartilage 
of the elbows and the butt where it can hurt you most. In the position 
recommended, the left elbow is not under the piece but to the right of it. 
Long-armed men will grasp the piece at or near the sight rack ; short- 
armed men near the breech. 

The pull off here should be very slow and perfect. In no case should 
the piece be spasmodically set off, as if catching the target on the wing. 
Be sure to hold the piece plumb ; it is easy to make a sufficient error, when 
not doing so, to throw the shot off of the target altogether. 

SIGHTING AND WARMING SHOTS. 

" Sighting shots" is a term generally employed to designate actual 
shots, allowed previous to the beginning of the score, for the purpose of 
securing elevations and windage. In long-range shooting these are being 
discarded so as to determine relative science in judging elements on the 
first shot. Never take sighting or trial shots on practice days; begin your 
score on your judgement and if the result is a miss, take it, and do better 
next time. This discipline is of incalculable value. Sighting shots, as the 
author would consider them, might be called snapping shots. Without a 
cartridge, to take position at the firing point and go through the motions 
of aiming and firing, determines the degree of steadiness and accustoms 
the eye to the sight. Many of our best shots do this, without ever giving 
themselves a reason why. 



koBEKN OBSEKVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 25 

Warming shots are blank or ball cartridges exploded in the gun to 
warm it to an even heat before beginning a score. A difference in ele- 
vation, in the first three or lour shots, is found by nearly all marksmen, 
which is accounted for by the difference in the heat of the gun. 

Snapping shots are equally as valuable as warming shots. Three 
blanks fired in position, aiming at the target, accustoms the eye to its 
work, and one ball cartridge then blown off will prepare the rifle for use. 
The writer holds that this precaution will obviate any change in the first 
shots that might not be required in the last. 

Snapping shots should be taken at home. A few leisure moments 
spent in this way strengthens and confirms the position and vision. 



AIMING. 

Off-hand shooting which generally results best with open sights, often 
calls for the shooter to aim away from the bull's-eye. Being so near to 
the target, this is not so hazardous as at longer ranges where a man judges 
one foot, at its full measurement, on a target that is reduced in size by 
distance. Always have the open sights sufficiently elevated so that in aim- 
ing away from the bull's-eye it is not hidden from the view. It is always 
best with fine sights to make the changes on the gauges and aim dead on. 
If however, a rifleman insists in aiming so as to allow for any change that 
may take place in wind or light or shade while he is in the act of aiming, 
if using an open bead the bull's-eye appears in the middle and a white 
circle around it, covering the white on either side or top or bottom is 
equivalent to one point of wind or elevation. It is therefore obvious how 
much care should be used in holding the bull's-eye in the center of the 
open bead, with an equal showing of white around it. 



FIRIIVG} OR PULLING THE TRIGGER. 

When about to fire, inflate the lungs moderately and then hold your 
breath till the bullet is gone. The pressure of the finger on the trigger 
should be very slow and steady so that when the hammer trips the steadi- 
ness of the rifle is not disturbed. 



WEATHER. 

All other things being equal, a cloudy, moist, warm day gives lowest 
elevation; and a hot, bright day, or a very cold, bright day, highest eleva- 
tion. In the first instance there is no mirage, the eye is comfortable and 
lubrication is freer, i.e.^ the residuum of powder in the barrel is soft; on the 
hot day the eye is strained, mirage constant, and the powder cakes in the 



26 MOBEEN OBSEEVATIONS OK ElFLE SHOOTING. 

barrel causing friction and often causing the barrel to lead (led) from the 
bullet. These general rules are more or less modified by wind direction, 
season of the year and condition of the ground, if wet or dry. At times 
fog settles like a wet blanket, often totally obscuring the target. Plenty 
of time in sighting will give less variable results than raising or lowering 
elevations, as the fog is more or less dense. 



MIRAOE.. 

Careless observers, even, have noticed that heat rising from a stove 
causes the atmosphere to dance, and distorts images behind it; so casual 
observers notice on a sunny day that between them and the targets there 
is a dancing of the atmosphere. A powerful telescope becomes almost 
worthless from the fact that this dancihg appears to assume the consistency 
of a river running by. This is what some of the Irish Team of 1874 called 
*' Gin and sugar," but is what we call mirage. To penetrate this consistency 
of the atmosphere, according to science, with set rules, has not as yet been 
attempted, although no one will be found unwilling to acknowledge its 
importance. A cock of hay in front of the bull's-eye will send up enough 
mirage to join it to the bull's-eye, making it impossible to take sight. A 
cloud covering the range will entirely disperse the mirage, so we must 
admit that the sun's rays are necessary to produce mirage ; as the heat 
rising from a cock of hay does not stop rising on account of a cloud, but 
because there are no sun's rays to refract, we are unable to see the heat 
and it no longer serves as an obstacle. After securing elevation, mirage 
indicates its intensity or diminution best through a fine telescope. Set the 
glass on four legs, put together on the principle of a saw horse. Set the 
cross hairs so as to cut the exact center of the bull's-eye. The bull's-eye 
will appear to lower as the mirage increases, and rise as it diminishes. If 
the bull's-eye lowers so that the cross hairs cut the top, four minutes more 
elevation are required ; that is to say, each 4J inches (actual) of the bull's-eye 
above or below the cross hairs, indicates one minute less or more of elevation. 
In other words, each i of the bull's eye, as cut by the cross hairs, equals 
one point of elevation. Mirage disappears when a cloud covers the firing 
point and 300 yards toward the target. Should the sun shine on this 
portion and shade cover the entire balance of the range, including the 
target, the mirage is not interfered with. Should the first instance occur, 
with bright target, less elevation is needed. Should, the second instance 
occur more elevation is needed. Should the entire range be shaded by a 
dark cloud the absence of mirage equalizes the darkness as to elevation; 
plenty of time being taken in sighting. Bright sunlight succeeding re- 
auires much less elevation, for the time, mirage coming on again re- 
quires a slight creeping up in elevation. The lower the line of sight the 
more dense the mirage. The rifle can be sighted much better at the 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 27 

height of the shoulder than on the ground. The writer holds that all low 
positions fail perceptibly on days when the mirage is dense enough to be 
an obstacle at alJ. 



EYE. 

In no treatise on rifle practice, as yet known, has the eye received 
the least consideration. In making so extended a paragraph the author de- 
sires to develop criticism and thereby develop experiment on this very 
essential feature. It is a fact, that in warm weather, grey and blue eyes 
make better shooting than dark eyes. In pronounced cold weather the 
difference is not as marked, still very few dark eyed men have achieved 
success as marksmen. All of the members of the American teams have 
been light-eyed men. 

Shooting from the same position a dark hazel eye requires 1| minutes 
less elevation at 1,000, yards than a blue or grey eye. It it safe to assert 
that no marksman has yet been known with a black eye — (unless we ex- 
cept a few temporary ones belonging to riflemen whose peculiar positions 
have caused them — of one of these positions, one of the Scottish team re- 
marked, that "he looks like a crab on a skewer.") There must be a 
reason for all this, and it is a natural as well as a philosophical conclu- 
sion that the less dense the iris the less the variation of the pupil. On this 
principle, also, are we to to account for variation in elevation consequent 
on light and shade. We have only to recall the fact that the pupil of the 
eye, opens and closes to a greater or lees extent to accustom itself to each 
new object to give force to the idea that each shot should have a uniform 
time given to its sighting; and that the eye should traverse the same ob- 
jects, as nearly as possible, between shots, to retain for it an equal power 
of vision. An exaggerated example may draw attention to this topic 
more forcibly, viz. : no one can look at grass for some time and then sud- 
denly look at the sun and endure the light any more than he can, after 
becoming accustomed to the intense sunlight, turn to mundane objects and 
see them clearly at once. On a very bright day it is not unnatural for a 
marksman when awaiting his turn, to look at the very bright target, while 
before the very next shot he might find himself looking at the ground, or 
at his score book, or at a brother marksman. Such opposites must be 
avoided. The author claims as part proof of the above that elevations are 
not as bothersome on cloudy days as on bright days. Perhaps the best 
way to control the whole matter is for the rifleman to observe a certain in- 
terval, after he has properly obtained sight and before he pulls the trigger, 
to allow the eye to become fully assured of its observation. In this way, 
better than any other, can the marksman lessen the influence of fleeting 
clouds. It is a fact, though disputed by some, that, on a bright warm 
day, a heavy cloud covering the range calls for more elevation, unless the 
eye is given ample time to penetrate the darker atmosphere ; and the 



28 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

change is more marked, when the cloud, after obscuring the ^ange for a 
few minutes, passes away and renews the bright light. The writer holds 
that then every rifleman must lower elevation. 

It often occurs, on days when fleeting clouds are the rule, that as the 
marksman has found his aim and is about to pull off, the bull's-eye leaves 
the sight, notwithstanding the fact that he is, and that he knows he is, 
holding perfect. Beware of following t\n.^ Ignus Fatui too quickly; for, 
while the eyes see differently, the target has not moved. Shutting one eye 
is getting out of date as it develops one eye to the exclusion of the other, 
and causes nervous twitching, especially in hot weather. A leather screen 
or other contrivance will shut off its vision, so the eye not in use can re- 
main open. 

The use of eye glasses should be avoided. Spectacles are but little 
better; while the snobbish single eye glass is not only in very bad taste 
but fatal to decent shooting. Colored glasses, that simply shield the eye 
from bright light, counteract their usefulness by a percentage of loss equal 
to if not greater than the gain. 

There is probably no influence of greater benefit to short sightedness 
than long-range shooting. 



LIGHT. 

In order to a proper understanding of the influence of light on rifle 
shooting, the reader will have to give close attention to the articles on Eye 
and MiKAGE. Some hints are necessary on the general topic. Could a 
rifleman select the peculiar light best adapted to his success and comfort 
he would choose a dull gray light natural to a completely clouded, but not 
threatening sky. A very bright light tires the eye and produces mirage. 
That light which permits the full power of a fine telescope is the best and 
most regular. Eain-light is preferable to sunlight. Sunlight calls for al- 
most constant and sometimes radical changes in elevation. An entire 
score may be fired without changing elevation in the absence of sunlight. 

In figuring up the elevation at which to begin a score light should be 
given a prominent consideration. 



WIND. 

All publications extant make an enormous bug-bear of wind, and the 
young rifleman has thus far felt that, if he did not screw his wind gauge 
out of all correspondence with his previous shot, he would certainly miss 
the target, and make himself a target for the jests of his companions. 
The distance covered by the ball makes the opportunity for wind cur- 
rents to equalize their force. What may appear to be stronger at 200 
yards distance, is balanced by less force at 500 yards; so, before learning 



J 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 39 

any other rule, learn this: Be slow to alter your wind gauge. 

Wind — Direction is.marked by the clock dial, the shooter standing at 
6 o'clock, the target at 13 o'clock, A 3 o'clock wind is blowing from the 
right, a 7:30 o'clock wind from the left rear, and so on. 

Wind — Force is kept by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, marking a gentle, 
moderate, fresh, strong breeze, a half gale, and gale. The wind gauge is 
kept 5 L or 5 K as the barrel is moved toward the left or right. The 
number of points of wind desirable can only be estimated after finding the 
direction and force; for, if the wind be blowing a gale from 13 or 6 o'clock, 
no windage is needed (except to cover the drift, which is enhanced by a 
rear wind); while a 3 o'clock gale might require 15 points of windage. A 
wind that holds from 8 to 10 o'clock; or 3 to 4 o'clock, offers less oppor 
tunity for skill than one from 10 to 3 or 4 to 8 o'clock. These latter ait 
called "fishtail," and are troublesome on account of changes in eleva 
tion. A front wind, say force D, requires about 4 points more elevatioL 
than a rear wind. A strong side wind causes the ball to describe a side as 
well as top trajectory and needs more elevation, but not so much as to be 
troublesome. Five points more of side wind needs one point more of ele- 
vation. 

The best way to study wind is to get a happy medium, and shoot 
away, pretty lively, without changing anything, making careful and 
honest notations of your best judgement before shooting, as to force; and 
after shooting, as to position of hit on the target. Errors can thus be ac- 
curately corrected. Above all, when aiming, be careful not to let the 
wind hlow up without noticing it, and, the first thing after shooting ob- 
serve the wind — the wind in which you shot. 



THERMOMETER. 

This instrument is probably more valuable in indicating the condition 
of the metals, as influenced by heat and cold, with a view to keeping track 
of friction than for any other purpose. Eules that will apply in warm, 
weather work to the contrary in cold weather. In Summer, with the heat 
at say 90°, the ground is dry and unable to give the air its proper absorp- 
tion of moisture, one 40th of its weight; the metals are more nearly assim- 
ilated and friction greater; and the metals, responding to the grateful ap- 
proach of cool clouds, relax as does the human body. 

A dropping of the thermometer 5° should be an indication for 1 min- 
ute less in elevation. In Winter, with a bleak cold atmosphere, the ther- 
mometer down to 40°, the atmosphere is incapable of holding more than 
one 140th of its weight of moisture; an increase of temperature seems to 
act on the metal as on the body creating a genial feeling, and, directly 
opposite to its effects in Summer, indicates less elevation. Do not con- 
demn this rule on account of the contrary actions of mirage. To name 
dates when it would be safe to arbitrate by rule is, in our very changeable 



30 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

climate, hazardous. Let the rifleman be influenced by the hygrometer or 
his bodily comfort, diminishing elevations as the temperature changes 
from uncomfortable heat to cooler and from uncomfortable cold to warmer 
and vice versa. In Summer time, as evening approaches and the ther- 
mometer begins to fall and the air and moisture equalize, let elevation go 
down correspondingly. In the Fall and early Spring, evening comes on 
more rapidly and, the light growing darker and the air colder and less 
moist, calls tor more elevation. 

HYGROMETER. 

The hygrometer determines the amount of moisture actually in tl 
air. The thermometer will perform the same duty if a sufficient amount 
of moisture is present to be absorbed or deposited in such proportion as 
the heat is greater or less. Plenty of moisture in the ground is all that is 
necessarj^ to secure, by known laws and a thermometer, the information 
given by the hygrometer. Tn Summer when the ground is very dry, or in 
Winter when a cold brisk wind is blowing, the hygrometer is necessary to 
adequately arrive at the amount of moisture in the air. This instrument 
is necessary therefore, in connection with the thermometer, in accurately 
determining how much allowance should be made for friction. While 
these rules are perfectly essential for rifles that are not cleaned, between 
shots, they lose much of their force; when applied to rifles that are cleaned 
properly, (see cleaning rifles), nearly all influence of friction being thus 
removed. 

At 32° F. the air should contain one 160th of its own weight of mois- 
ture for every additional 27° F., the capacity of the atmosphere to contain 
moisture doubles. 

In the revised score diagrams thermometer-dry and thermometer-wet 
are substituted for thermometer and hj^'grometer. The top line serves to 
indicate the thermometer proper, while the two combined serve as a hy- 
grometer. The w^et bulb always registers lower than the dry bulb. 
Some hygrometers are made with catgut which shortens as the air becomes 
moist, others are made with hair. Those made with wet and dry bulb 
thermometers are to the author's mind the best. Pike, Optician, is making- 
some, specially for riflemen's use, as devised by Jackson, of the American 
Team. 

A close remark of the weather and moisture of the ground will relieve 
the shooter from the necessity of having a hygrometer, especially if he uses 
a breech-loader and cleans it properly. 

BAROMETER. 

Nearly eveiy marksman acknowledges to a fluctuation in elevations 
corresponding to the rise and fall of the barometer, still, few give it a 
prominent place in influencing their judgement. A careful study has 



MODERIT OBSERVATIOKS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 3l 

given the writer the ppinion that, whenever elevations change from un- 
known causes, the sequel, instead of the warning, is found in this instru- 
ment. 

Nothing, but heavy clouds and bright sunlight alternated, ever produces 
a radical change in elevation that does not thoroughly indicate itself in 
the barometer; and, if a shot held steadily gains or loses slightly in ele- 
vation, instant recourse should be had to the barometer for the solution^ 
carefully following its fluctuations the shooter need have no further 
trouble from that quarter. 



SPOTTING THE SHOTS WITH A GLASS. 

No long-range rifleman should be without a good glass. Great power 
is not as essential as clearness. Many small glasses are clearer and less 
affected by mirage than larger ones. To locate a shot by the unassisted 
eye and the marker's disc is too vague; a glass must be used and the exact 
spot hit should not only be noted, but accurately noted on the score book. 
Many marksmen, more egotistical than wise, favor their record by mark- 
ing their shots nearer the center of the target than they actually hit. 
Don't ever fall into so great an error. Small wooden targets, with 
draughtsmen's pins numbered, are nice to have, but are no better than 
the target in the book. 



KEEPEVG SCORE. 

The most important of all requisites to good shooting is an accurate 
record of every shot fired, whether fired in a score or as an experiment, 
or to kill time, or to shoot away bad ammunition. Months after you have 
forgotten such mistakes as you keep out of your book, for looks sake, you 
will regret it, if you cannot find the bad and the reasons, so as to avoid 
like disaster. Be honest with yourself in keeping your score book. Yon 
are not obliged to show it, if it is bad, and you will never succeed if you 
shoot so bad that you are ashamed to know it yourself. In keeping your 
elevations, if you notice that a shot is a little high or low, be slow to 
change unless you are sure you held the rifle perfect. It is best to hold 
the rifle perfect every time; if it takes ten minutes to get up, get rested, 
and try it over again. If a shot hits the bottom or top of the bull's-eye it 
is safe to change I point up or down. If a shot hits above or below the 
center circle, 1 point can be allowed safely, unless the error comes from 
light and shade, and the original conditions are restored. Be very careful 
of the next shot always, so as to make sure of the necessity of more alter- 
ation. 



S^ MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON HlFLE SHOOTING. 



ALLOWANCE FOR ONE POINT IN WIND OR ELEVATION. 

The table of differences, submitted below, is subject to slight changes 
on account of distance between the sights on the rifle, powder charge, 
bullet, weather, difficulty of moving the sight exactly one point, eye sight, 
etc., etc. 

The difference given is for inches on the face of the target, not what 
it appears to be by guess work. 

Grip and butt refers to where the rear sight or Vernier is located; a 
desired result requiring less alteration on the scale of a Vernier or wind 
gauge when the rear sight is on the handle than on the butt. Measure 
your divisions and allow pro rata, more or less, as they are greater or 
smaller than the divisions in the table. 

TABLE OF DIFFERENCES FOR ONE POINT OP ELEVATION OR WIND. 





Divisions 1-100 of an inch, 


Divisions 1-60 of an inch, 




Vernier and Wind Gauge. 


Vernier and Wind Gauge. 




Vernier on Vernier on 


Vernier on Vernier on 




Grip. Butt. 


Grip. Butt. 


Yards. 


Inches. Inches. 


Inches. Inches. 


200 


2 


1^ 


^% 


3^ 


300 


3 


2^3 


5 


4 


400 


4 


3 


QYb 


5/4' 


500 


5 


4 


8M 


6/^ 


600 


6 


4M 


10 


7/^ 


700 


7 


11% 


93^ 


800 


8 


6J4 


13J^ 


-^/^ 


900 


9 


7 


15 


IIM 


1,000 


10 


8 


16% 


13 


1,100 


11 


8M 


18>^ 


1^ 



SUMMARY. 

The pages inserted for keeping a summary, if properly kept, will 
prove invaluable. The eye, taking line after line, finds elements and con- 
ditions, noted on previous days, similiar to those that present themselves 
for the marksman's judgement at the commencement of a new score. To 
start a score by guess work, or on the advice of a brother rifleman, is un- 
scientific and lazy, and entails incalculable disgust if perchance the guess 
is erroneous. Some day when you are real anxious to do well, just start 
a score with a "goose egg" on guess, and you will find the hinge-pins of 
your nervous system rather loose, to say nothing of th swearing tackle 
of your lower jaw — (inelegant but forcible). 

do not begin with your windage on the wrong side or your 
Elevation 5 or 10 points too high or low. 



TRAJECTORY. 

This is the term applied to the parabola, or line actually described by 



MODERN OBSERVATIOi^S O'N RIFLE SHOOTING. 33 

the bullet consequent on the action of two or more forces, viz : the pro- 
pelling force of the powder, attraction of gravitation and wind. The 
example used to explain the angle of hit on the target would probably be 
actual with 90 grains FGr powder, and a 550 grain bullet at 800 yards, and 
is sufficiently accurate for all purposes. A bullet leaving a rifle at a velo- 
city of (in round numbers) 1,000 feet, the first second would go 800 feet 
the second, and 600 feet the third, total 800 yards. At the end of the first 
second, the bullet would be 28 feet from the ground, 16 feet below the line 
of fire; at the end of the second second, it would be 32 feet from the 
ground, and 48 feet below the line of fire; at the end of the third second, 
it would be on the target, 107 feet below the line of fire. Dropping 32 feet 
in the last 600 feet, the angle of hit would be one inch fall in twenty inches? 
3° less than horizontal. 

The difference is so immaterial that it should be discarded in making 
allowance for faulty elevations. The slightest zephyr of wind, or dif- 
erence in light, or error in holding, is more material. (For influence of 
wind on trajectory, see wend.) 

DIET— PEESONAL HABITS. 

Little need be said on this topic ; riflemen given to excesses in eating 
and drinking are unknown. Moderate living, very moderate drinking, in- 
cluding coffee, moderate tobacco, better none at all, are absolutely neces- 
sary. While it is better not to get hungry, such a condition is preferable 
to a full stomach. A peach, pear, or apple will quench thirst and a sand- 
wich is all sufficient for lunch. 



CLOTHING. 

In warm weather bodily comfort will be a proper guide as to cloth- 
ing. In cold weather an overcoat is worn until at the firing point it is dis^ 
carded as too cumbersome; the result is, that the body becomes cold if not 
shivering. Double flannels and stockings accomplish warmth and free- 
dom of action. Bather be too warm than chilled. Always wear heavy 
shoes on the range. 

EXERCISE. 

Plenty of moderate exercise is recommended except gymnastics. 

One important thing should be fully observed— never run for a train 
or walk fast on the day of shooting, better turn back home and save ex- 
penses. 

Never try to accomplish too much m one day, all will prove good for 
nothing. 



34 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 



EXPERIMENTING IN A MATCH. 

Granting that candor rather than ill-luck has actuated riflemen in 
many instances within the writer's memory to ascribe their misfortunes to 
experiments, we can reach but one conclusion, never experiment in a 
match. Cartridges loaded by a friend eighty years old; bullets patched 
with sized paper; sights shaded one shot and minus a shade, which has 
dropped off the next; powder of different make, quality or quantity; pow- 
der crushed by seating the bullet too far; patches oiled, or rifled oiled in 
the middle of a score, and a thousand other peculiarities, all explain had 
luck but not BAD TASTE. 



CONTERSATION. 

Any talking at the firing point, such as telling stories that superinduce 
laughter; discussions of an animated or quarrelsome, character that call 
for serious reflection; and, especially, that excites the prejudices, will cer- 
tainly interfere with good shooting. 

The mind should have but one object in view, viz. : that collection of 
details which is necessary to make the next shot a bull's-eye. The intro- 
duction of any subject foreign to such details occupies the mind to the ex- 
clusion of some one of them. 

Never quarrel. Never impose your excesses on others, whether re- 
sulting from good or bad luck. 



PROTESTING. 

Never protest against any action of a fellow rifleman. You may be 
misjudging his motives or his acts, and, in his mind, you may appear to 
be doubting his honor. He will never forget it. If anything flagrant is 
being done, that is interfering with YOUR success, quietly call the atten- 
tion of the official in charge and allow HIM to take the responsibility of 
rectifying the matter. 

Never yield a shot, if honestly in doubt, where it can affect your 
score so as to secure a prize or requisite standing. You are entitled to 
contest a shot not scored by the marker, and no honorable rifleman will 
find fault if you seek what you believe to he right. Be slow to contest 
shots while you are yet young in rifle practice. Beginners are always 
complaining of bad markers. 

Always try to put your bullet where the marker cannot 
fail to find it, 



MODERJS^ OBSEKVATIOJS^S ON RIFLE SHOOTIJS^G. 36 



DELAYIJfO A TARGET. 

A large majority of all contested shots end in "goose eggs." Few 
instances occur wherein contested shots if allowed would alter results. 
Remember that while you are in dispute you are delaying the target; you 
are losing track of elevations, wind, &c. ; j^oui- gun is getting cooled off ; 
and you are disturbing your equilibrium of mind, and making your com- 
rades on that target equally miserable. 



SHOOTKfG ON THE WRONG} TARGET. 

The worst delay that you can be guilty of is putting your bullet on 
another target. A bullet so put almost invariably hits the bull's-eye, 
making your loss five points, giving the adversary then firing on that tar- 
get a choice of, say, his outer and your bull's-eye, and may result in blind- 
ing the marker, and keeping that target idle, with the danger flag in front 
for over half an hour. 



COACHING. 

Politeness demands that you do not bother other marksmen with 
questions, which, if properly answered, would assist you to defeat them. 

Generosity demands that when you are interrogated you answer to the 
best of your ability. 

Cautiousness demands that you should couch your answer so as to re- 
lieve you of any suspicion if the information should fail to bring success. 

If you are keeping a comrade's score for him offer no suggestions 
until they are called for. 

If a comrade is keeping your score, be free to tell him, beforehand, 
what suggestions, if any, you desire him to make from time to time. 

If you are being " coached " submit entirely to the judgment of the 
"coach;" improving the opportunity to correct your ideas with his suc- 
cess, or to note the reasons for his errors. 



BORROWING. 

It is unpleasant just as you are going to the firing point to have a 
comrade " sing out " for a screw driver, oil can, ball seater, or to ask what 
o'clock it is, or how the barometer or thermometer stands, &c. Every- 
shooter should have his own kit. 



i 



36 MODl*:ilN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 



REASOIVS FOR ALL FAILURES. 

To undertake so grave a task, as is indicated by tliis caption, is no 
self imposed. Challenged and requested, the author remembers that h 
started to write with a free hand; so, like a line of battle, with only a 
knowledge that the enemy is somewhere in front, we will commence firing, 
let the shots fall where they may, always hoping that some will take 
effect. 

Rifles.— Too deep rifling, worn out rifling, badly chambered, effect es- 
cape of burning gas, -M/iunif orm rotary motion of the ball, and un- 
even upsetting ol the bullet. 
Sights,— Jumping of the sights during the recoil of the previous shot, the 
screw not being tight enough, sights not properly plumbed, causing 
wind-gauge or Vernier to act laterally, screwing the wind-gauge to 
the wrong side. 
Spirit Level. — Not properly sighted. 
Cap. — Uneven action on account of verdigris, &c. 
Shell. — Improperly cleaned. 
Powder. — From moisture, verdigris or foul shell. 

Bullet.— Badly seated in the shell, paper ruflaing when inserted in the 
shell or rifle, paper adhering to the bullet after it has left the muz- 
zle, paper leaving the bullet before it leaves the barrel, causing the 
rifle to lead near the muzzle. 
Position.— Difference in recoil consequent on positions wherein the rifle 
is not held firmly at the butt. A rifle recoiling without hindrance 
will throw a shot higher on the target than one fired from a post. 
Sighting and Firlng.— Of all the misses made, charge better than fifty 
per cent of them to this cause; thirty of the fifty percent being 
attributable to pulling off, and the remainder to mistaken vision 
common to the best riflemen. It is often the case that, after a long 
effort to secure a good sighting, the shooter gets tired out, and, al- 
though not satisfied with the sight, concludes to let the shot go 
under an agreement with himself that he will take more pains with 
the next. 
Anger or excitement of any kind. 
Wnm, light and shade. 

Time.— Unusual lapse of time between shots. 
Markers. — Nearly all young riflemen charge their misses to bad markers. 

Don't display your ignorance of the art in that way. 
Lastly. — Obey established rules and the dictation of your intelligence, 
and your misses will be narrowed down to a very few unaccounta- 
bles, at present beyond the power of human ken. 



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MODERJS^ OBSERVATION'S ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 89 



TEAM SHOOTING. 

There are two ways in which the author can attack this subject; one 
in pointing out the defects of the methods used at Creedmoor during the In- 
ternational matches; the other in simply prescribing what seems to bo the 
correct method. The latter will be less calculated, perhaps, to meet the 
desires of those wlio were connected with the several teams, but will also 
be less calculated to draw out animated defence of methods used which 
the author might consider erroneous. Let us then try to build a fabric on 
its own base and not on the ruins of the past. 

DISICIPLINE. 

To have discipline is to have instruction, government. In an art 
like rifle-shooting, it would be unwarrantable to assert that one man could 
be master of all its points, and it is therefore necessary to have a system 
whereby all can impart their information for the instruction of others. 
The system calls for government and to that end a central power for arbi- 
tration should be vested in one man as captain, and a coach for each tar- 
get, to be a receptacle for the information to impart it to the next shooter, 
together with his further observations of the elements. None of them to 
be of the tiring members. Simply to he arbitrary is not discipline. Tliere 
must be respect and confidence, first between the shooters and their coach 
and finally for the captain. 

SYSTEM. 

There should be a spotter with a fine telescope for each target whose 
accuracy is unerring, and a score keeper to dot the hits on each man's 
target, and to keep accurate record of his elevation and windage, both 
under the control of the coach. The coach should have a fine glass 
set for his use, only in case of dispute, and a pair of field glasses with 
which to watch for wind currents. 

The first man in position firing, the second man should be standing 
by the side of the coach intently observing the wind and instruments for 
himself, the coach watching for changes in light and wind for No. 1. 
The instant No. 1 has fired he should arise, without loss of time and witJi^ 
out trying to outdo the spotter in trying to discry the locality of hit, and 
go to the coach giving his elevation and windage; immediately retiring to 
reload, the coach observing the position of hit and any alteration in the 
elements, imparts his opinion to No. 2, who immediately takes position; 
No. 3 taking the place of No. 2 and so on. 

In no instance should the coach keep the record or spot the shot, or 
attempt to assist the next target. Absolute silence should be the pleasure 
of the two members loading, and the captain, stationed between the two 
targets, should preserve it. Allother persons should be excluded from a 
possibility of being seen or heard by the squad at the firing point. 



i on f .1 



40 MODERN OBSEEVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

JUDGMENT OF WIND. 

Some of our riflemen have a specialty of judging wind and ordina 
should be deferred to. In securing a coach, great stress should be laid 
his power to cope witii this wary enemy. Having one, even though not 
the best, his intent attention entitles him to preference in judgment. 

JUDGMENT OP LIGHT. 

All eyes are not affected by light equally, and it is desirable that the 
shooter give that individual attention, relying somewhat on the compara- 
tive difference in the effect on his eye and the shooter who precedes him. 
The coach only remarking on radical changes. 

INSTRUMENTS. 

The coach should keep a close watch on the instruments, as they 
affect all alike, especially where slight variations in elevation of hit are 
accompanied with even an indication of variation in the barometer. 
During very hot days the difference will increase between the wet and 
dry thermometer until the approach of nightfall, when it will decrease 
again. Not so much stress need be laid on this, as each day for weeks 
may serve to give an example for another, but if a shower comes on, skill 
with these two instruments is absolutely necessary. 

ELEVATIONS. 

Riflemen have heretofore paid deference to the judgment of others on 
right and left shooting, ignoring deviations in elevation, on the score that 
the previous shooter held badly. The target is twelve feet wide and only 
six feet tall. If a shot misses the inner right or left it may count two. If 
it misses up or down it counts nothing. Where the greatest percentage 
of loss lies, there the greatest percentage of caution should obtain. 

If No. 1 goes low, in the interest of the team, he should own up if he 
held badly, and especially so if the next shooter is to come to grief by his 
error. If he claims to have held perfect, some element has changed which 
the coach should fathom, and allow for accordingly; failing to see any 
change in elements he should divide the allowance, cautioning No. 2 to 
hold perfect to prove the defect. 

HOLDING. 

In team shooting perfect holding is intensely necessary. The position 
should feel right or the shooter should get up and lay down again. The 
eye should come up to the sight comfortably, and the white surround- 
ing the bull's-eye should be held alike through the sights each time. 

PICKING A TEAM. 

"Fair play is a jewel." Many interpret that sentiment in the selec- 
tion of a team, as giving the idea that each man should shoot on his indi- 
vidual merits without coaching. If individual skill was to be the rule in 
the match, the ground would be correctly taken; but men who shoot 
on to a team in that way are liable to be contumacious throughout the 
shooting, for the purpose of individual record; while, if team shooting 
T^as to be indulged in in the selection, good holders and good judges of 



MODERN OBSERVATIOIS^S ON EIFLE SHOOTING. 41 

some elements, but lacking in what could readily be supplied them by a 
coach, would prove sufficiently tractable to submit to discipline. 

To narrow down the list of competitors on the record of the first two 
days is an'exploded idea; several days should be allowed all, and coaching 
should be courted, thus developing elements vastly more necessary to 
good team shooting than individual prowess that may never be placed to 
the advantage of the team. 

When the number of competitors is to be reduced at all, it should be 
to the final number of double the number of the team, which number 
should stand throughout, at the same time four coaches, four spotters and 
four scorers should be chosen, making a sett for each target of four 
shooters. They should be regularly changed to different sets of fours, 
and each coacher's final average should determine as to coachers just as 
much as final average determines the team. The team should be finally 
chosen so as to admit of three practice days as a team entire — coach, 
spotter and scorer as carefully as the shooter. The . captain should be 
chosen by the sixteen; four practice days before the final selection of the 
team he should immediately apply himself to finding out the different 
methods of loading and cleaning, submitting erroneous methods to the 
sixteen for consideration. The failure of any of the members to experi- 
ment properly on any improvement suggested would go far towards os- 
tracizing him in the final selection. An Adjutant should be had to keep 
scores, compile them, and convey the captain's instructions. A Quarter- 
master Ghould be appointed to provide transportation, meals, tents, and 
care for the property generally. An Instructor might act until the selec- 
tion of Captain takes place. 



Have Your Good Shooting Lithographed, 

ILIKE MADISON'S SCOEE, ON PAGES 56 and 57. 

Targets can be Lithographed, in 'Y'oiar Own Handwriting, 
IClieap, Qixiclc and Handsome, by 

JOBEISr F. SIlVtOI^DS, 

53 and 55 Liberty St., N.Y. 

.A-ntograph. Circnlars made Avliile yon -wait. 
-A.11 kinds of fine Lithographing, IBanh: ZNTotes, Drafts, 
Il3ill and Letter Heads, IPortraits, Diplomas, Cartoons, &:c. 



READ TUE 




IF YOU WISH TO KEEP ACCURATELY INFORMED. 

Its reports of all Turf events. Field Sports, Aquatic and Athletic pastimes, 
and Rifle Shooting, are the most complete and reliable. Each department is 
conducted by gentlemen of ability. 

ADVERTISE IN THE 

"TURF, FIELD A^N^D FARM:,'' 

IF YOU WISH TO DERIVE THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE. 

Its circulation exceeds that of any similar publication. It is general, uo* 
sectional in character. The best and most influential classes who can afford 
to buy liberally, are the patrons of the 

"TURF, FIELD J^ISTD F^RM:."' 

E. H. MADISON, 



B64 FULTON STREET, 



BROOKLYN. 



&un-stocks straightened, Crooked, Lengthened or Shortened to 
Pit the Shooter. 

CHOKE BORING FULL, MODIFIED OR TAPER. 

Pistol Grips Fitted. Ne-w Barrels of every flescription Fitted. 

NEW LUMPS AND EXTENSIOK RIBS BRAZED ON. 

PIN FIRES ALTERED TO CENTER FIRE, 

RIFLES SIGHTED and SHOT for APPROXIMATE ELEVATIONS 

Al WORK AT FAIR RATES. 

SPORTSMEN'S FISHERMEN'S and RIFLEMEN'S SUNDRIES. 



REFERENCES : FOREST &= STREAM, and Sporting Clubs of Brooklyn, 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON KtFLE SHOOTING. 43 

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF ASSOCIATIONS. 

Regardless of tlie familiarity with whicli you think you know the rules 
of your Association, never go to a strange range or enter a match any- 
where, without fully informing yourself as to the regulations you are to he 
guided hy. The set of rules and regulations printed herein are probably 
the most perfect and most liable to have all the restrictions necessary. 
Do not rely on them for any other range than Creedmoor. 

THE NATIONAL BIFLE ASSOCIATION 

REGULATIONS 

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF COMPETITIONS UPON THE RANGE AT CREED- 
MOOR, L. I. 

MANAGEMENT. 

A. — SPRING AND FALL MEETING. 

1. The annual meetings for competitions will be conducted by an Ex- 
ecutive Officer, wearing a tri-colored badge, aided by a Statistical Officer, 
wearing a blue badge, a.Financial Officer, wearing a white badge, and as- 
sistants wearing red badges. 

2. The Executive Officer shall have control of the range for the conduct 
of matches. 

3. The Statistical Officer shall have charge of all statistics. 

4. The Einancial Officer shall have charge of all finances connected 
with the meetings. 

B. — OTHER COMPETITIONS. 
1 . All other association competitions will be condut ted by an Officer or 
Director of the Association, or other competent person previously designated 
as the Executive Officer. In the absence of the Officer, Director, or other 
person previously designated, the Assistant- Secretary or Superintendent of 
Range shall act as the Executive Officer. 

II.— GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

1. During the progress of a match, no one, except the officers and em- 
ployees of the Association, the competitors and scorekeepers, will be per- 
mitted within the ropes without special permission of the Executive 
Officer. 

2. The squads of competitors will be stationed not less than four yards 
in the rear of the firing points, where each competitor must remain until 
called by the scorekeeper to take his position at the firing point, and until 
he has-completed his score. The scorekeepers will be seated close to and 
in rear of the firing point stakes. 

3. Scorekeepers shall, as each shot is signaled, call in a loud voice the 
neme of the competitor and the value of the shot, and at the conclusion of 

the score of each competitor, announce in like manner his name and total 
score. 



1 



44 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

Competitors must pay attention to the scores as announced and recorded, so , 
that any error may be promptly investigated. ■ 

4. All competitors will be allowed to examine the records of the score 
keepers during the progress of any match. 

5. All protests and objections must be made to the Executive Officer in 
charge of the match, or in his absence to one of his assistants. In case a 
competitor is dissatisfied with the decision of the latter, he may appeal to 
tlie Executive Officer. 

6. Any competitor feeling himself aggrieved by the ruling of an Execu 
tive Officer, may make to the Secretary a statement of his grievance in 
writing, giving the names of two or more witnesses in the case, which 
shall be handed to the Executive Committee, at its first meeting thereafter 
for its consideration. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be 
final, subject, however, to the discretion of said Committee, or any two 
members of it, to refer the matter to the Board of Directors for its de- 
cision. 

7. These regulations, and such directions as the Executive Officer may 
give, must be rigidly complied with by competitors and all other persons 
upon the range grounds. 

III.— RIFLES. 

The rifles allowed to be used in the competitions are — 1st. Military rifles ;- 
2d. Any rifle ; and must comply with the following conditions, viz : 

1. MiLiTABY Rifles, weight (without bayonet) not to exceed 9 lbs. 4 oz. 
Stock sufficiently long for military purposes, and such as to admit the use 
of a sling; minimum pull of trigger, six pounds. Sights to be of hona fide 
mihtary pattern, to be attached to the barrel ; the front sight to be immova- 
ble. The rear sight may be used as a wind gauge, by the sliding bar or 
the leaf being moved laterally, either by sliding, or by a screw, or by any 
similar device suitable for military purposes. Filing or altering the sights 
of such rifles, or of the rifles used by the National Guard, or Regular forces 
(except as authorized by the military authorities thereof) is prohibited. The 
sliding bar of the rear sight may be inverted, and lines drawn to mark the 
centre. Any pad or shoe for the butt is prohibited. 

2. Any Rifle, maximum weight ten pounds, minimum pull of trigger 
three pounds, sights of any description, except telescope, magnifying, and 
such front aperture sights as solid disks or brushes pierced in the centre, 
which cover the target so as to conceal the danger signal when displayed. 
No stirrup constructed of metal or other substance, connected to the rifle 
by straps of any kind, for the purpose of taking up or lessening the recoil, 
will be allowed in any of the matches of this Association. 

8. Competitors shall submit their rifles and ammunition for inspection 
whenever required. 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTINa. 4o 

4. No hair or set trigger will be allowed. 

5. No fixed or artificial rests will be allowed. 

6. In all competitions confined to the use of breech-loaders, the gun 
chall be loaded at the breech with fixed ammunition. 

IV.— AMMUNITION. 

1. In all competitions, unless otherwise specified, any ammunition may- 
be used, and must be provided by the competitors. 

Y.— TARGETS. 

The targets are divided into three classes, and shall be of the following 
sizes: 

1. Third Class, to be used at all distances up to, and including 300 
v^rdc— Target, 4x6 feet. 

Bull's eye, circular, 8 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 26 " 

Inner, " 46 " 

Outer, remainder of target. 

2. Second Class, to be used at all distances over 300, to, and including 
600 yards— Target 6x6 feet. 

Bull s eye, circular, 22 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 38 " 

Inner, " 54 " " 

Outer, remainder of target. 

3. Mrst Class, to be used at all distances over 600 yards — Target, 6x13 
feet. 

Bull's eye, circular, 36 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 54 " 

Inner square, 6 feet x 6 feet. 
Outer, remainder of target. 

YI.— MAEKINO, SCORING AND SIGNALING. 

1. Bull's eye, counts 5; signal, white circular disc. 

Centre, "4; "red 

Inner, " 3; " white and black " 

Outer, "2; " black 

Ricochet, scored R; " red flag waved twice right and 
'. left in front of the target. Ricochet hits will be marked out after the 
I flag signal. 

2. When a shot strikes the angle iron upon which the target stands. 
marier will open the trap and raise and lower his flag three times In front 
of the target. 

3. Any objection to the scoring of a shot as signaled, or to one not sig- 
>naled, must be made before another shot is fired. 



46 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

Any competitor challenging the marking' of a shot shaU first deposit with 
the Executive OfiB-cer or his representative the sum of $1.00. If his challenge 
is sustained the money shall be returned. In case the challenge is not sus- 
tained the money shall be forfeited to the Association. 

4. Any alteration of a scoring ticket must be witnessed by the officer in 
charge of the firing point, and endorsed with his initials. 
VII.— RUNNING DEER. 

1. Willberui only by signal from firing point. Any rifle may be used, 
provided the sights are without transverse adjustment. Position, standing ; 
distance, 100 yards, unless otherwise prescribed. A fine of ten cents will be 
imposed for firing when out of bounds, not firing^ or for hitting the haunch. 

SCORING AND SIGNALING. 

Bull's eye, white disc, counts 4. 
Centre, red " " 3. 

Outer, black " " 2. 

Haunch, white disc, with black cross, scoring H. 

VIII. —BULL'S-EYE TARGETS.. 

1. Bull's-eye targets will be open all the time during the Annual Meetings. 

2. Tickets (entitling the holder to one shot at any Bull's-eye target) will 
be sold at the office of the Financial Officer, upon the Range, at 10 cents 
each, or twelve for $1. 

3. Each competitor making a Bull's-eye will receive a Bull's-eye ticket. 

4. At the close of the firing each eve-ning, the pool receipts (less one half- 
half retained for expenses) will be divided "pro rata among those making 
Bull's-eyes, on presentation of their tickets, 

5. No person will be allowed to fire more than three shots consecutively 
at any BuU's-eye target, provided others are waiting to fire. 

IX.— MATCHES. 

1. The commencement of the Annual Meetings will be signaled by the 
firing of two guns, 15 minutes apart. The first will be the signal for com- 
petitors and scoreke-.pers to assemble at the firing points, and the second to 
commence firing. 

2. The matches will take place, if possible, at the hour previously named. 
Any deviation from the programmes will be posted upon the Bulletin 
board, as long beforehand as practicable. Tlie posting upon such bulletin 
board will be considered suffi,cie7it notice to all C':mpetitoi's of everything so 
posted. It should be examined by all competitors daily, both morning and 
afternoon, before the shooting commences. 

. 3. In team zaatches, at Annual Meetings, au officer will be assigned to 
each of the firing points as Supervisor, and will, in connection with the 
Scorekeeper, keep a record of the firing ; and any disagreement between such 
Officer and Scorekeeper will be decided by the Executive Officer, subject to 
appeal, as provided for in the Regulations. 



MODERN OBSERTATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 47 

4. Each team may appoint a responsible person to act as Supervisor, whose 
.-duty it shall be to see that the Rules of the N. R. A. are strictly adhered to 

by the team at whose target he may be assigned. 

5. No practice will be allowed upon the range on any of the days of the 
Annual Meetings, unless specially authorized by the Executive Officer. This 
does not apply to days upon which special matches of the Association, or of 
affiliating associations or clubs, take place. 

X.— ENTRIES. 

A. — ^ANNUAL MEETINGS. 

1. For all competitions open to military organizations, the teams shall 
(unless otherwise specified) consist of twelve from each Regiment, Battalion, 
Company, or Troop. 

2. In aU cases competitors for prizes offered to military organizations 
must be either officers or regularly enlisted members in good standing of the 
Regiment, Battalion, Company, or Troop which they represent, and shall 
have been such for at least three months prior to the match for which they 
are entered ; all entries must be made for full teams. 

3. Entries must be made at the office of the Association in New York City, at 
least one week preceding the commencement of the meetings, when the entry 
books will be closed at the office of the Association, and all subsequent 
entries shall be called Post Entries, and a charge of 50 per cent, additional 
will be imposed upon all such Post Entries. 

4. Competitors who are prevented from being present at any meeting 
shall have the entrance fees they have paid returned after the meeting, 
provided that they send their tickets and give written notice to the Secre- 
tary before the day on which the prize for which they have entered has been 
announced for competition. 

5. Competitors prevented from competing by illness will receive back their 
entrance fees in full, on production of a medical certificate and their entry 
tickets. 

6. The holders of post entry tickets may be ordered to fixe whenever target 
accommodation can be provided, but should they be precluded from com- 
peting by deficiency of target accommodation, their entrance fees will be 
returned to them, the Executive Officer not being able to guarantee ac- 
commodation for all such entries. 

7. All entries are received upon the express condition that the competitor 
is to appear at the firing point at the exact time named upon his score card, 
and complete his score within the limitation of time prescribed, regardless 
of weather or any other cause. 

8. The same person shall not be a member of more than one team in the 
same match. 

9. Competitors selected to shoot in team matches, or who are detailed to 
shoot off a tie, at a particular hoar, and who find that such engagements will 
interfere with their shooting in other competitions, must at once communi- 

3 



48 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON HIPLE. SHOOTING. 

cate with the Executive Oflacer. These cases will be provided for when posii- 
ble, by altering the hour ; and when that cannot be done, the entry will be 
cancelled and the entrance fee refunded. 

B. — GENERAL llEGULATIONS. 

1. A member of the Association entering for or shooting in a match on 
the range must exhibit his badge. 

2. A register ticket may be transferred at any time before the firing for 
the match has commenced, by exchanging it at the office of the Statistical 
Officer for one having the name of the new holder. It is available only for 
the hour and target for which it was originally issued. Any erasure or 
alteration not initialed by the Executive Officer wUl render the ticket invalid. 

3. No post entries shall be received for any competition after the firing in 
such competition has commenced, unless expressly permitted by the terms 
of a match. 

XL— SHOOTING. 

1. Competitors must be present at the firing points punctually at the time 
stated upon their tickets, or forfeit their right to shoot. 

2. After a competitor has joined a squad he shall not quit it until he has 
completed his firing, or retired. 

3. No two competitors shall shoot in any match with the same rifle, nor 
shall a competitor change his rifle during a competition, unless expressly 
permitted by the terms of a match, or unless his first rifle has become un- 
serviceable through an accident, which must be verified by the officer in 
charge of his firing point. 

4. In all competitions confined to members of military organizations, 
competitors shall shoot in the authorized uniform of their corps, including 
waist belts. 

5. In each match of the Annual Meetings, except where otherwise stated, 
the squad or team assigned to each target will be required to commence 
firing at the time named on the score card, and to continue firing at the rate 
of one shot per minute until the completion of the score. 

6. The time for each squad to commence and close will be signaled by 
firing a gun every thirty minutes from 9 A. M. to 5:30 P. M., and no firing 
by any of its members will be permitted, except between those signals. In 
case a competitor, without fault on his part, has been prevented from finishing 
his score within that time, he may apply to the Executive Officer for further 
assignment, the granting of which will be in the discretion of that officer. 

7. Competitors retiring from a match forfeit all claims therein. 

8. Wo sighting shots will be allowed in any match^ but targets will be 
assigned as BuWs-eye Targets at which competitors may practice at any 
time, provided such practice does not interfere with their presence at the 
designated time at the firing point to which they may have been assigned. 

9. In all competitions restricted to military rifles the competitors shall 
place themselves at the firing point by twos, and shall fire alternately until 
they have fired all their shots. 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 49 

10. In other competitions the competitors shall fire their shots alternately 
throughout the squad. 

11. Competitors may wipe or clean their rifles during- any competition, 
except those restricted to the use of military rifles. In competitions at more 
than one distance, restricted to military rifles, cleaning will be permitted 
between distances. 

13. Whenever the danger flag is displayed, competitors about to fire will 
be required to open the breech block of their rifles (if breech-loaders). If 
they leave the firing point they must withdraw the cartridge. 

13. Any competitor delaying his squad will be passed by. In no case will 
the firing be delayed to enable a competitor to procure a rifle. 

XII.— POSITION. 

1. In all matches (except those for carbines), the position up to and in- 
cluding 300 yards, shall be standing. The left elbow may be rested against the 
body, provided the little finger of the left hand is in front of the trigger guard. 

2. In carbine matches the position, at 200 yards, shall be standing ; at 300 
yards, kneeling ; over that distance, in any position (as prescribed for in- 
fantry). 

3. In aU other matches, at distances above 300 yards, any position may be 
taken without artificial rests to the rifle or body. 

4. One-armed competitors will be allowed to use false arms without extra 
support, in the standing and kneeling positions, and to assume any position 
in the use of military rifles, at distances above 300 yards, 

5. Shots at Bull's-eye targets, at all distances beyond 300 yards, may be 
fired in any position, without artificial rests. 

6. In aU cases the rifle shall be held clear of the ground. 

XIIL— TIES. 
I. Ties shall be decided as follows : 

A. — m INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING. 

1. When the firing takes place at more than one distance, by total score 
made at the longest distance ; and if still a tie, and there be three distances 
in the competition, by the total score at the second distance. 

2. By the fewest misses in the entire score. 

3. By the fewest outers in the entire score. 

4. By the fewest inners in the entire score. 

5. In handicap matches (after the preceding) by the fewest centres in 
the entire score. 

.6. If still a tie, by inverse order of shots, counting singly from the last to 
the first. 

7. By firing single shots at the longest range. 

B. — in team shooting. 
1. By the aggregate total scores made at the different distances in inverse 
order. 



50 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

2. By the fewest misses in the entire score. 

3. By the fewest outers in the entire score. 

4. By the fewest inners in the entire score. 

5. By the total of each round in inverse order. 

6. By the competitor on each side who has made the highest score, firing 
five rounds atfthe longest distance. 

II. — The names of competitors vs^lio have to shoot off ties will be posted 
on the Bulletin Board as soon after each match as practicable. 

III. — When the ties are shot off, one sighting shot shall be allowed 
without charge. 

lY. — Competitors not present at the firing points at the hour named foi' 
shooting off ties, lose their right to shoot. 

Y. — If, having forfeited their right to compete, they shall still be within 
the number of prize winners, they shall take any prize that may be allot- 
ted to them by the Executive Committee. 

XIII.— PRIZES. 
1.— Prize winners will, upon application to the Statistical Officer on the 
range, receive certificates, which must be given up on receiving the prizes. 

2. Prizes will be delivered on the range at the close of the meeting, 
under the direction of the Executive Officer, unless otherwise specified. 

3. All prizes not claimed within one month after the match at which they 
have been won, shall be forfeited to the Association. 

XV.— PENALTIES. 
Competitors must make themselves acquaiuLed with the regulations, as 
the plea of ignorance of them will not be entertained. 

DISQUALIFICATION. 

Any competitor — 

(a)— Who shall fire in a name other tha» his own, or who shall fire 
twice for the same prize, unless permitted bv the conditions of the com- 
petition to do so, or 

(b)_^Yho shall be guilty of any conduct, considered by the Board of 
Directors or the Executive Committee as discreditable ; or 

((3)_"VVho shall be guilty of falsifying his score, or being accessory 
thereto; or 

(e)— Who shall offer a bribe of any kind to an employee- 
Shall, upon the occurrence being proved to the satisfaction of the Board 
of Directors or the Executive Committee, forfeit all his entrance fees, be 
forever disqualified from competing at any time upon the Range of the 
Association, and shall not be entitled to have any prize won by him at 
the time or meeting, awarded to him. 
I, EXCLUSION prom: further competition. 

1 1. Any competitor who shall be detected in an evasion of the conditions 
prescribed for the ,conduct of any match, shall be ruled out of such com- 
' petition. 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 51 

3. Any competitor, in any meeting or match, refusing to obey instruQ 
tions of the Executive Officer or his assistants, or violating any of these 
regulations, or being guilty of unruly or disorderly conduct, or being in- 
toxicated, will be immediately ruled out of all further competition, dur- 
iag such meeting or match, and forfeit his entrance fees, and may also be 
reported to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and be 
by them disqualilied from use of the Range. 

4. Any competitor firing when the danger flag or trap disc is shown at 
the target or firing point, or knowingly discharging his rifle, except at a 
target to which he has been assigned, or into the blowing off pits, or as 
may be directed by an officer, shall be debarred from all further compe- 
titions during the meeting, and shall forfeit his entrance fees. This shall 
not apply to a competitor accidentally filing at the wrong target when no 
other danger disc is up. 

5. Any person discharging a rifle or snapping a cap within the enclos- 
ure, except in accordance with the regulations for shooting, may, at the 
discretion of the Executive Officer, be required to leave the ground. 

6. Any competitor or other person found with a loaded rifle, except at 
the firing points and when about to shoot, shall be debarred from further 
competition during that meeting or competition. 

7. Any person. Whether a competitor or not, interfering with any of the 
firing squads, or annoying them in any way, will be at once expelled from 

10 ground. 

8. Any competitor discharging his rifle accidentally, either by his own 
•,vant of care, or by reason of any defect in the rifle, shall be disqualified 
from further competition in the match. 

9. Should a competitor lose his register ticket, omit tt) take it to the fir- 
ing point, fail to attend at the prescribed hour, or give a wrong ticket, and 
so by his own neglect miss the opportunity given to him of competing for 
i;he prize for which his ticket was issued, his claim in regard to such com- 
petition shall be cancelled. 

10. Any person firing on a wrong target will be fined $1; or be debarred 
from further competition; or both, in the discretion of the Executive 
Officer. 

11. — Any competitor, being a member, who shall neglect to wear con- 
spicuously his badge of membership in any competition, shall have his 
score disallowed, 

12. — Any person ruled out of any meeting or competition shall forfeit 
all entrance fees. 

• XV. 

1. — All regulations heretofore adopted and inconsistent herewith, are 
hereby repealed. 

2. — These regulations shall take effect immediately. 




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The only Military and Naval Journal in the 
United States. 




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Wingaie's Manual for Rifle Practice. 

By Col. GEO J. WIHfiATE, General Inspector of Rifle Practice, N. G. S. N. T. 

The Standard Authority on Rifle Practice, and the only Work Embodying 
the Results of Recent Experience. 

This work, originally prepared under the authority of ihe National 
Rifle Association, has been adopted by New York, Main, Massa- 
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and other States, and is in use 
in the United States Army and Navy, as a text-book on this subject. 

It contains nine chapters of theoretical instruction and an appen- 
dix, in which is given the Rules of the National Rifle Association to 
govern Marches ; Shooting ; Suggestions to Marksmen ; Positions, 
Standing, Kneeling,. Lying ; Aiming; Wind; Elevations; Light 
and Atmosphere ; Long Range Sights ; Rifle Associations, How to 
Form ; Cartridges, Selection and Management of; Team Shooting; 
Forms for Recording Practice, etc., etc. 

Price, $1.50. Sent by Mail, postage prepaid, on receipt of price. 

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F'tsK Cultvure^ P-rotecttorh of G-cLnxe, 

PRESERVATION OF FORESTS, 
TACSTIJSrG AWJD J^OATIWa^ 

RIFLE PRACTICE, and all 

ODT-DOOR [jECREATIONS jlND STUDY. 



This is the only Journal in the country that fully supplies 
the wants and necessities of the 

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187 



Itotal 



LOOK. AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN, BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 







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SOO YDS D^jJfaA^J^.^AJ^^.j4^y7vd /O^ 



TOTAL i 



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BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 







/(?<?<? 



YDS DATE 



&i£xlmmn<£.d d^Jor /^^ \^7Y 



TOTAL 



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QEFEK TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




t./I.Jiadijvn 





GRAND 
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RIFLE(^^-^^t<^^ZS!GHT X P0VVDEK/^^i7Z.''^BULLETJJS '//i\ 


TIME 1 






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THE SPIEIT OF THE TIMES 



The Leading SporttJig, Racing^ Rifles Hunting, 

Dramatic, and Mttsical Newspaper 

in the World. 

38 to 33 PAOEIS. 

Recognized Turf, Trotting, and Rifle Authority of America, 



IIFLIS IIB MIIISIIISIIE 

By JUDGE H. A. GILDERSLEEVE. 

Judge Gildersleeve is now engaged in the revision of Ms series of articles 
publislied in TTie Spirit last spring, and they, as well as the supplementary- 
chapters by Cols. Bodine and Wingate, will be published in book form next 
month. There will be added a valuable chapter on ' ' Trajectory and Recoil, ' ' 
by Sir Henry Halford, giving the results of scientific experiments on his 
own range. Bear in mind that Judge Gildersleeve commences with a novice, 
and makes him an expert in ten lessons, 

Pnbljstied toy The Spirit of the Time§. Price, Sinj^le 
€opy, §1.50. Clutos of Twelve or over, $1, each. 

Rijiemen should forward tJieir orders at an early day. 



A horse doctor free to every subscriber who owns a horse or other head 
of stock. 

Throughout the year, full accounts of Racing, Sporting, Rifle, Aquatic. 
Musical, Dramatic, and other events are published. During the 
winter months, its pages are enlivened by special commu- 
nications upon topics of general interest ; also., 
Serial Stories of great merit, and correspon- 
from every quarter of th£, globe. 



Subscription Price, Five Dollars a Year. 

CLUB RATES— Five Copies One Year, $31; Nine or more Copies, at 
tlie rate of $4: each, payaltle in. advance. 



GEORGE WILKES & E. A. BUCK, Proprietors. 

Address, 102 Chambers Street, New York, 

SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, 

I*. O. Box 938, 



SMITH & WESSON'S REVOLVERS. 



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IN CONSTRUCTION 



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*°°^^== M. W. ROBINSON, Gen. Agent, 79 Chambers St., N. Y. 



THE REMINGTOIT IMPROVEDi 



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(Hepburn's Patent Action.) 




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[See Page 6^.] 



THE REMINGTON INPROVED RIFLE. 



(Hepburn's Patent Action.) 




EUREKA AIR PISTOL. 




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PRICE, including Darts, Slugs, Targets, etc.. 

Black, » . . . . . $5.00 

Nickled, „ . , . » n $6.00 

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Cor. CORNHILL & WASHINaTON STREETS, BOSTOK. 

A Splendid 7.Shot, Full Nickel Plated Revolver, only $2.50. 



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MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 63 



LONG RANGE TOURNAMENT. 

The announcement that a match of three days' duration has been shot 
at long ranges, by the best riflemen in the world, is not calculated, perhaps, 
to startle the people of ojie continent nov/adays, even though the shooting 
was better than any ever made, and, what is more, made on absolutely 
individual merit. It has been the accident of occasion that has called 
attention to previous matches, and we may add, properly, only by way of 
justice to later e'fEorts, much more careful students and brilliant shots, that 
it was only the accident of occasion that caused our pioneers in long-range 
shooting to be so heralded for their skill, and have their names placed on the 
top round of the ladder of fame, thenceforth the only prophets and sages 
in rifle shooting. No matter what their qualifications, \\'ithout claiming 
(in fact since then disclaiming) " even a knowledge of whether a front 
wind required more or less, elevation than a rear wind," only taking 
rifles (happily, on account of the skill of Yankee mechanism, superior 
to any in the world), and ammunition as furnished them, without knowing 
or stopping to ask how or of what they were made, they went to Creed- 
moor, and by luck and steady holding beat their competitors. It was 
all put to their credit as science. The fact was that very faulty elevations, 
and many unaccountable misses, developed the necessity of knowing the 
science of rifle shooting, and in the five or six years that have elapsed, very 
many of the principles underlying these errors have been established, laughed 
at by the mushroom sages, and the means of avoiding them finally adopted 
as so much gained. It is only in these few years that this subject has been 
brought forward as a study. Those who in 1874 stood as mountains of 
intelligence have since been dwarfed by the patient and careful study of 
many. T?iere is hardly a portion of any rifle then so pekfect that has not been 
remodeled \ the ammunition is in every detail different] changing light, heat 
and cold, wet and dry, barometric changes, all enter into the consideration 
of what shall be the elevation for the next shot. Goo\l holding and passably 
judging wind currents is no longer science. Such requirements are simijly 
necessary as adjuncts to many paramount elements of success. 

Feeling the importance of collating ail the infonnation possible, and in 
a responsible form, thus utilizing the advancement so apparent to close 
observers, the Author originated the "Tournament" as the best means to 
accomplish the desired result. The encouragement tendered by the different 
rifle manufacturers and others interested in supplies, the Editors of the Spirit 
of the Times, Turf, Field and Farm, and the Forest and Stream and a few 
of the Directors of the N. R. A., who foresaw the value of the enterprise, to . 
which, after the match began, was added the recognition of the iV! T. 
Herald, and the general approbation of all interested, have long since 
compensated the writer for a great amount of energy expended and opposition 
encountered. Every known rifle club and shooter was fully notified of the 
match. Answers were received from California. Nevada, Vermont, New 
Orleans, Mississippi, Maryland, Colorado, Canada, ^A'heeliug, W.. Va., 
Saratoga and all other prominent localities possessing acknowledged riflemen. 
Dudley Selph, Prof. D wight. Col. Burnside. and Partello, all had a chance 
to contest, but were unable from some cause or other. One prominent member 
of a club, noted for big scores in the newspapers, did not wish to commit 
himself and his fellow shooters to divulging their style of loading — ' 'something 
new that might not suit others, but proved successful with them." On 
arriving at Creedmoor, it proved that this same shooter was competing in the 
Wimbledon Cup Match at Creedmoor, the year previous, on the next target 
to the writer, and this new wrinkle was what the writer was then using, 
simply loading at the muzzle, using more powder than would fill the shell. 



64 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

Great hopes were expressed on all hands that Partello would try to prove his 
prowess in this match, and he came to Creedmoor, but after two practice 
days left to attend his sick child. At last thirty competitors signified their 
intentions to enter, and the match was turned over to and adopted by the 
National Rifle Association. 



SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME 

OF THE 

SEVENTH ANNUAL FALL PRIZE MEETING 

OF THE 

LOlVO-Ti^IVOE TOXJIilvJ^MIEIVT, 

TO BE HELD UPON THE KIFLE RANGE AT CREEDMOOE, L. I., 
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 22, 23 and 24, 1879 

AT TEN O'CLOCK A. M., EACH DAY. 



CLASS PRIZES. 
Class I. 
To the competitor making- the highest aggregate score of three days, $100- 

Class II. 
To the competitor (not the winner of the next preceding prize) who, 
having exceeded 206 points in any match, same distances, has never exceeded 
212 points in a,nj match, same distances, making the highest aggregate score 

of three days, $100. 

Prize offered by Mr. E A. Buck, Bd. Spirit of the Times. 
To the competitor making the second highest aggregate score, 2d 

Class, $25. 

Offered by Col. E. H. Sanpord. 
To the competitor making the third highest aggregate score, 2d 
Class, $15. 

Class III. 

To the competitor (not a winner of the two aggregate 1st prizes, Class T. 

or II.) who, having exceeded 200 points in any match, same distances, has 

never exceeded 206 points in any match, same distances, making the highest 

aggregate score of three days, . . . . . . . $50. 

Prize offered by Judge H. A. Gildersleeve. 
To the competitor making the second highest aggregate score, 3d 

Class, . . . . $25. 

Prize offered by Gen. G. W. Winoate. 
To the competitor making the third highest aggregate score, 3d 
Class, . . . , , $15. 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 65 

Class IV. 

To the competitor (not a winner of either of the three aggregate 1st prizes, 

Classes I., II. or III.) who has never exceeded 200 points in any match, 

same distances, making the highest aggregate score of three days, a Badge, 

Value, $50. 

Prize offered by Foeest and Stream Publishing Co. 

To the competitor making the second highest aggregate score, 4th 
Class, $35. 

To the competitor making the third highest aggregate score, 4th 
Class, . . . . . • $15. 

OTHER PRIZES. 

First Day. — To the competitor making the highest score, (45 shots), $50- 
Second highest do., $25. Third highest do. , $15. Fourth highest, do. , $10 ; 
and to each of these and the next 10 highest scores, an equal share of the 
entrance fees for the day, in excess of 30 entries. Total, besides entrance 
fees, . . • $100. 

Second and Third Days.— Same as the first. Total, besides entrance 
fees, $200. 

To the competitor making the highest aggregate score of three days, 
with a Remington rifle, a Remington Creedmoor Rifle. Value, . $100. 

Prize offered by E. Remington & Sons. 
To the competitor making the highest aggregate score of three days, 
with a Sharp's rifle, a Sharp's Standard Long Range Rifle. Value, $100. 

Prize offered by Sharp's Rifle Co. 
To the competitor making the highest aggregate score of three days, 
with a Ballard rifle, a BaUard Long Range Rifle. Value, . . $100. 

Prize offered by Schoyerling, Daly & Gales. 
To the competitor making the highest aggregate score of three daysj 
with Laflm & Rand powder, ........ $50- 

Prize offered by Laflin & Rand Powder Co. 
To the competitor making the highest aggregate score of three days, 
with Hazard Powder, ........ $ . 

Prize offered by. __... 

To the competitor making the first completed score in the three days, 
45 shots, exceeding 219 points, ....... $50. 

Prize offered by (Anonymous). 

If two or more scores exceeding 219 points are made in the same series 
of 45 shots at the three ranges, the best score to take the prize. 

To the competitor making the most centers, 135 shots, one year's 
subscription to the Turf, Field and Farm^ and one copy of ' ' Perry's Green 
Book." 

To the competitor making the most inners, 135 shots, one year's 
subscription to the Forest and Stream, and one copy of " Perry's Green 
Book." 

To the competitor making the lowest score, 135 shots, one copy of 
"Perry's Green Book." 

Open to all comers. 15 shots at each range. 800, DOO and 1,000 yards 
each day. No sighting shots. Previous practice of every description must 



Q6 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTINa. 

cease at 10 o'clock. No restriction as to method of loading. Any rifle, 
any position {Rules N. R. A.) No coaching. Competitors may spot their 
own shots, hut no one to call out the location of any shot. Scorers to be 
15 ft. behind the firing- points. No one but one competitor to be at one firing 
point at once, and no one not a competitor in the match to pass in front of the 
line of scorers on any pretext whatever. Entrance fee $5 each, each day. 

Should the weather be unfavorable, the competitors present at the firing 
points at 9:55 o'clock shall vote whether to proceed or not, the majority to 
govern. During the shooting, if the weather shall be so unfavorable as to 
prevent "aiming,'''' the executive officer may suspend the shooting— not to 
exceed 30 minutes at any one time. Any further suspension to be subject to 
a majority vote of the competitors present at the time of voting. Should 
any portion or portions of any of the three days' scores be uncompleted on 
Wednesday evening, Sept. 24th, 1879, the competitors will present themselves 
at the firing points at 9:45 o'clock A. M. on each succeeding day, and pro- 
ceed to complete said scores in such a manner as the majority of the competi- 
tors at the firing points at that time shall by vote determine, until all the 
scores shall have been completed ur abandoned, according to the rules of the 
N. R. A. In starting to complete scores after Wednesday evening, Sept. 
24th, 1879, one sighting shot will be allowed. Targets shall be assigned by 
drawing each day, and the order of shooting in each squad shall be decided 
by drawing at each range. Each competitor shall certify on honor, on blanks 
to be furnished at the firing points each day, the kind and quantity of powder 
to be used that day, the kind, weight and hardness of the bullets to be used 
that day ; the kind of rifle to be used that day ; if wads are to be used in 
loading; the kind and length of shells to be used that day ; the kind of primer 
to be used that day ; if fixed ammunition or muzzle-loading is to be used that 
day. Each competitor shall further certify on honor the highest score ever 
made by him in any match (stated prizes or subscription ; association or 
private), in 45 shots at the three ranges. No entry will be accepted after 

9:30 o'clock A. M. on any day. 

1st day. 2d day. Total. 
In 1876. The American Team, close "coaching" 

and shooting with all the help obtain- 
able, made 1,577 1,549 3,126 

In 1877. do do 1,655 1,679 3,334 

In 1878. do do 1,660 *1,660 3,320 
* Giving Rockwell 69 for his 1,000 yards score, and Prof. Dwight bull's-eyes to complete 
his score. 

1st day. 2d day. Total. 

In 1879. The Tournament, Top 8 1,655 1,670 f 3,325 

Shooting absolutely on individual merit, on different targets, no previous 

practice together. 

t This score would have been bettered 25 points by taking best 8 each day. 
While the conditions of some matches previously shot appeared to put 

each man on his own resources, the fact was that all the shooters were near 



MODERN OBSEHVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTINGT. 07 

the firing points, and that a man waiting- could stand over a competitor 
about to deliver his shot, and give a wink, a peculiar whistle, or exclama- 
tion, which'would often prove a warning. In this match the shooter was 
beyond all aid or hint, not even the scorer calling out a shot could be of 
avail as a warning. This restriction also gave the opportunity for a spectator 
to at once see along the line exactly who was shooting ; to watch every pecu- 
liarity of the shooter at the firing point ; to catch his ability to cope with the 
elements ; and, above all, to enjoy the scene, which, instead of being huddled 
together and confusing, was at once graphic and entertaining. 

The following letter combines so many valuable points that the author 
asks pardon for the digression and publishes it : 

" I was feeling half sick and unfit for work when I started, but I came 
back feeling clear-headed and greatly improved. If business men knew the 
efficacy of this fascinating sport as a means of recreation only (letting scores 
whether good or bad take care of themselves), they would, I am sure, avail 
themselves of it more generally, for when used for that purpose (and not, by 
constant practice, to become experts) it takes no time from business which 
will not more than be replaced by increase of clear-headedness and mm. I 
said I went to Creedmoor for the sake of recreation ; partly. My other 
reason for going was, that I heartily approved of the plan on which your 
' Tournament' was organized, — that of classifying the marksmen according 
to their records, thereby giving inexperienced men as good a chance in their 
class as the more expert riflemen in theirs ; and also (by extending the con- 
test beyond one competition) that of ofEering prizes for single and aggregate 
scores, thereby affording the opportunity of redeeming the ill luck of one 
day by the success of the next. I hope a similar competition may be arranged 
for next year." 

It has been the author's desire since the first publication of this book to 
modify any position then taken if it was proper to do so. ' ' Retired forever" 
was written in the author's score book months before ' ' Modern Observa- 
tions " were prepared, on account of ill health that then had no promise of 
mending. In that year (1876) every shot fired by the different teams for the 
" Palma," both in the match and in practice, was watched by the writer. 

The ammunition, style of loading, positions, sights, etc., were carefully 
noted, until every detail was exhausted. The writer was in constant prac- 
tice (as a "coach") with others who we1Fe untiring in trying any experi 
ments suggested For the last two years returning health has given the 
author the opportunity to fill several score books, and keep pace with every 
improvement by personal practice. Failing to find in his own experiments, 
or the experience of others, any good reason for changing rules already laid 
down, the "Long Range Tournament" was projected as a sure way to 
modify or confirm " Modern Observations." The following tables show the 
result, and when compared with the targets selected on account of elevations, 
offer opportunity for scientific deduction as to the methods most liable to 
produce the best elevations. 



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70 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 



LONG RANGE TOURNAMENT— BY CLASSES. 

1st class, with a record of better than 212 POINTS. 

Loaded at 1st day. 2d daj'. 3d day. Total. Total prizes. 

1. Jackson Breech 206 213 214 633 $338 78 

2. >STimiier Breech 209 210 210 629 4178 

3. Hyde Breech 2 '4 211 211 626 4178 

4. Scott Muzzle 210 207 208 625 169 78 

S.Brown Breech ....... 204 213 208 625 5178 

8. Washburn Breech 208 '206 198 612 11 78 

9. Gerrlsh Breech .203 206 202 611 178 

11. Allen (last day) . .Breech 202 196 208 606 1 07 

2d class, with a RECORD OP FROM 206 TO 212 POINTS. 

Loaded at 1st day. 2d day. Sd day. Total. Total prizes. 

6. Farrow Muzzle 2U9 209 197 615 $226 78 

7. Eathbone Muzzle 205 201 206 612 26 78 

10. Sanford Muzzle 204 201 201 606 16 78 

12. Laird Muzzle ,200 204 202 . 606 71 

16. Waters Breech 194 199 197 590 

20. Morse Muzzle 184 200 182 566 

21. Wilder Breech 1*^5 204 181 560 71 

23. Poland Breech 195 195 R. Eet. 

25. Eockwell Breech 196 E. E. Eet. . 

34. Keene Muzzle ... E. Eet. 



3d CLASS, WITH A RECORD OF FROM 200 TO 206 POINTS. 



Loaded at 

18. Fisher Breech 

IP. Gray Breech ■ 

24. Dudley Muzzle 



1st day. 
. 190 

. 180 
. 183 



27. Wessel Breech ....;... 188 

28. Parker Muzzle 180 

31, Hepburn Breech E. 

4th class, WITHOUT A 
Loaded at 1st day. 



2d day. 
200 
199 
200 
D. 
189 
195 



13. 


D3 Forest ... 


. ...Breech. 


14. 


Pray 


....Muzzle 


15. 


Partis 


....Breech. 


17. 


Perry... .... 


Muzzle. 


22. 


Shurter 


. ..Breech. 


26. 


Adee 


Muzzle 


29. 


Eeader 


....Breeeh. 


30. 


Ferris . . .. 


... Muzzle. 



202 
194 
206 
188 
197 
190 
163 
160 



Hatry Breech 117 E. 



33. Tully 



.Muzzle 116 



3d day. 
193 
194 
E. 



Total. 
583 
573 

Eet. 
D. 

Eet. 

Eet. 



Total prizes. 

$.50 00 
25 00 



RECORD OF 200 POINTS. 



2d day. 

208 
201 
198 
208 
200 
185 
188 
199 
A. 
143 



3d day. 
199 
208 
195 
192 
157 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 



Total. 



603 



554 (Low) 
Eet. 
Eet. 
Eet. 
Eet. 



Total prizes. 

$51 78 

25 00 

16 07 

71 

14 00 



E. Eet. 



Note.— Jackson won the Sharps' Standard Long-range Eifle, and the Laflin and Eand 
powder prize. 

Scott won the Eemington Creedmoor Eifle. 

Farrow' won the Ballard Long-range Eifle. 

Shurter made the most "iuners," the most "centers," and the lowest score of 135 
shots. 

Third prize, 3d class, not won ; and prize for*first completed score in excess of 219 
points, not won. 



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MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON HIFLB SHOOTlNG. 73 

The author believes that, with a coraplete set of fine instruments for 
indicating the elements, and with Anemometers stationed at intervals of one 
hundred yards down the range and a certain distance toward the direction 
from which the wind comes, it is within the possibility of man to place con- 
secutive shots on the same perpendicular line for windage. This state of 
affairs is impossible in warfare, and, in fact, undesirable in peace, for then 
nothing would be left to the shooter either in judgment or luck, and fine rifle 
shooting would no longer be an enjoyable pastime. The application of 
science is necessary, in so far as it can secure to all a certainty of putting all 
the shots on a given horizontal line when elements and other things are 
equal. 

If a shooter is fairly certain that all his shots wiU be right as to eleva- 
tion, in his battle with the wind and other elements, he will have the advantage 
of a clearer judgment, and mark the results of such confidence on the target. 
This article, then, will treat on elevations, and the very many details neces- 
sary to produce the greatest uniformity in that regard. In order to cover all 
the points, let us begin on page 14 of Modern Observations and follow the 
headings: RIFLES. — We find the two muzzle-loaders at the foot of the list 
in the hands of Ferris and TuUy. SIGHTS.— We again find Capt. TuUy, 
with the Goodwin bar, at the foot of the list, while all of the best scores 
were made with the open bead. SHELLS. — Jackson had a miss at 1,000 
yards on the first and second days, and lost top place on both days thereby. 
He says : 

" I attribute my misses to moisture collecting under the reinforce of the 
shells and imparting that moisture to the powder. I now rebake my shells 
just before loading, " 

De Forest, top man of the 4th Class, says : 

"As requested, I herewith send you my best targets on elevation, but 
don't advise you to make any accurate deductions from them. Both misses 
were caused by shells bursting, and five other low shots at the shorter dis- 
tances were the results of a like misfortune." 
;,'^: With a straight shell, a close chamber and an action that does not spring, . 
*' : bursting shells do not injure the shooting to so great a degree, but if the 
shell bursts so as to permit the burning gas to escape rearwards, the effect 
must be disastrous. The result is multiplied the nearer you approach the 
capacity of the rifle to burn the quantity of powder jou use. If you use a 
much greater quantity of powder than the rifle will burn, the loss of gas wiU 
not be as material. 

Several others had similar ill luck. On the last day Shurter was 
thoroughly broken up from bursting shells, and was absolutely unable to 
rely on a shot in making his estimation for the next. Let us take warning 
now, and forever, by these examples. If your means call for such economy 
as the use of shells until they burst, is it prudent to shoot so much ? It 
is the experience of a great many that a shell should be shot once in practice 
and then kept for a match, to be discarded when used the second time. If 



74 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

you are sure they will last longer, take tlie responsibility, and pocket the 
results without a murmur. POWDER. — Please consult the table on this 
topic. The quantity to be used depends on other considerations, and will 
be treated on in connection with bullet, loading, &c. It is the author's belief 
that the difference in average elevation between L, & R. , Nos. 5 and 6, is 
partly due to their relative density and in favor of No. 6. No. 5 occupies 
less space for a given number of grains. BULLETS. — It is remarkable with 
what unanimity the 550-grain bullet has been adopted; also its shape, long 
point. The papering is the same, except that in the Hepburn style the paper 
is gathered in at the base, while in the Hyde base pattern the paper is 
gathered in and then cut out, making it easier for the bullet to strip. 

The author desires to call attention to an error which doubtless accounts 
in no small degree for the misfortune of one of the shooters in the Tourna- 
ment. In a letter he stated that he had been giving his attention to com- 
parative size of bullets. In order to classify them he had taken the Hyde 
Base Bullets and pushed them into the muzzle of his rifle ; the result was that 
he loosened the patches unevenly. Another says : 

"The 14th shot missed on account of being too tight, and as I was 
muzzle-loading it pushed the bullet nearly through the patch, which prevented 
the patch from being cut off of the bullet, and, of course, the consequence 
was a miss." 

There is likely to be a revolution in bullets this year, as several practi- 
cal riflemen are producing new styles and weights. This will partially 
involve an alteration in quantity of powder and length of shell if used in 
fixed ammunition. The test of quantity of powder to be used should be as 
before ; find how much the bullet makes the gan burn and then use a few 
grains more. If muzzle -loading, use more than the shell will hold and the 
rifle burn. WADS. — The wads used as expressed in the tables are virtually 
equivalent to no wad ; made of writing paper or thin card-board, they only 
serve to hold the powder in the shell, j)eradventure the bullet (being lightly 
seated) should drop out. The term "no wads " (on page 18) has reference 
to lubricated wads, or anything like them that serve as an clastic cushion to 
deaden the initial blow necessary to properly upset the bullet. LOADINGr 
AMMUNITION. — Much must be said on this topic. Simply to state how it 
should be done, ought to suflB.ce, but does not seem to. Of course this refers 
to fixed ammunition. • Some muzzle-load from necessity, and some to secure 
better elevations. Making rules so exact as the author has, it would seem 
that he would follow them, but having lost his right arm it is hard work for 
him to make fixed ammunition, and this was his reason for loading at the 
muzzle, and the kink of using more powder than the shell would hold, was 
simply invented to avoid having to re-shape the mouth of the shells. All 
other things being equal, this kind of loading will produce the best eleva- 
tions (see Perry's target among selected scores). The author made a target 
at 1,000 yards, at Brinton Range, in 1878, in a match where not more than 
six inches of the target were used for elevation by the fifteen shots. There 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 75 

ate other considerations that must be inchided. Hyde's targets for elevation 
are more eloquent than volumes in favor of proper, fixed ammunition, and 
the article on page 20 explains how he makes it. Follow it implicitly. If 
you have no tube long enough, pour the powder slowly through the barrel of 
your rifle. The shooter who has the best long-range aver.ige in the world 
once said to the author : " From the first I bought what your book called 
for in OUTFIT FOR LONGr RANGE, and have always followed your advice 
in loading and everything else, just as laid down in your book, and if you 
would do the same thing you would shoot better than you do." The table 
will show the large number who use fixed ammunition, and a careful note 
of Allen's third day in comparison with the first and second, together with 
his own words, will give the author's judgment also: "I think I am con- 
verted to fixed ammunition, not because, it shoots better, but because it 
gives you more time to watch the results of others' shooting, and discover 
in this way changes in wind and elevation that would not have been detected 
otherwise," 

In addition to the misfortune of pushing the bullet through the patch 
when muzzle-loading (liable to occur without your knowing it), there are 
other mishaps very possible, such as putting in the powder having forgotten 
to put in a shell, thus losing a charge of powder, and causing you to have 
to stop and clean out again, forgetting to put in a bullet, leaving the rod in 
on top of the bullet, etc., etc. Very many riflemen, in order to make time, 
so that a day can be spared from business, do so at the expense of loading 
properly ; they take good care to be in condition on the day of the shooting, 
but how about their condition when loading ? Patience is a most important 
ingredient in making ammunition, and when a shooter sits down to make 
his cartridges, he should be the opposite of a tired, sleepy man. He should 
have time to spare, and should preclude the possibility of interruption. He 
should have enough shells that have been fired an equal number of times. 
He should know that each one is perfect in every particular. He should 
take nothing for granted. Absolute test of everything is the only safeguard 
against what you may claim is an " unaccountable " miss, one of which . 
ruins a score. CLEANING. — One of the shooters says: "The greatest 
trouble I have ever had is about elevations, and that I take it is a ' gun ' 
peculiarity. While some guns will hold their elevations perfectly for fifteen 
shots, another will be increasing or reducing elevations. Another day and 
these same guns may reverse their characteristics. I have often said that 
when a man has a gun that will hold elevations, he has no excuse for a low 
score." Is it possible that one rifle will act difEerently from another under 
similar treatment ? Certainly not. Then there is a reason for trouble. The 
eye has something to do with it, also heat and cold, air pressure, force of 
wind, &c., but the fact that the gun works oppositely on different days, 
and especially when other rifles are holding elevations, proves the rule. One 
day is moist, the other dry. The author has taken rifles pronounced clean, 
they looked clean, very bright, a dry rag was put through to prove it ; the 



76 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

author put through patch after patch, wet, and brought them out fouled. 
The very best shooters fail to get their rifles clean, and this is why they 
creep up and then jump down, and vice versa. On the 23d, at 800 yards, at 
the same target, with a comparatively dry atmosphere, one of our best 
shooters (making 74 points), increased his elevation If points ; Perry in- 
creased i point on the 11th shot only. At 800 yards, on the 24th, from the 
time the Hygrometer registered close to 100 per-centum of moisture, he 
made no alteration ; Perry made none from the first shot— fine scores of 
exceptional shots, have been watched carefully, and compared shot for shot 
by the author, and he believes what lie says. When the air is dry, the powder 
soon gathers on the inside of the barrel, and polishes so as to look like the 
barrel ; dry rags, with friction however great, do not remove it. Water or 
oil alone will. The author has tried one set of patches through forty-five 
shots ; the first fifteen were excellent for elevation, the last fifteen were not. 
Read articles on pages 20 to 31 carefully. AIMING AND FIRING.— Quite 
a number have owned up to indifferent holding. The following being the 
best sample for beginners to become familiar with, is printed for their 
benefit : " Let me make honest confession between ourselves. Mishap No. 
1 — A low four tor first shot at 800 yards ; cause, a careless jiuU off, and I know 
it, too, for don't you see I don't alter my elevation for the next, or for the 
six succeeding shots. The 5th a center, was for not paying attention to 
wind. The 7th and 15th, want of good holding. Now, nothing but my 
own carelessness prevented a full score. 900 yards, shot No. 1 — A deli- 
berate "pull off, with both eyes shut, probably. You will observe on this target 
that there was a lack of nerve in not putting elevation down, and too much 
nerve in screwing that wind gauge. The 1,000 yards target shows fewer 
mistakes than the others. Now, Captain, I think you will say enough, but 
perhaps it mny be somewhat refreshing to have an honest excuse given for a 
bad score [200 points] ; it certainly seems to give some relief to yours truly." 

WEATHER — Perhaps no match has ever been fired wherein so many changes 
in weather had to be overcome. On the morning of the first day the air was 
cold and raw ; everything seemed to threaten the immediate approach of the 
line storm. The wind came from the N. E. , changing considerably in force 
and direction. Many of the riflemen failed to appear, and the match was not 
called until 11 o'clock. The only genial smile that came from old Sol 
appeared after the close of the 1,000 yards shooting. On the second day 
everything appeared delightful. The thermometer indicated 70°, and the 
light was fair, MIRAGE alone interfering. The wind came from the S. W., 
and remained fairly steady all day. On the third day the wind came at the 
start from the S. W. , gradually working up to W. , when a perfect gale and 
storm came up. This passed over, leaving the wind coming from the N. W. , 
and the elevations no one seemed to know where. The range was 900 yards. 

Allen went up 2+2+2=6 points before getting right. Jackson went up 
8^ points, afterward reducing 1^ points. Sumner went up 5 points. 
Perry, 3^ +1=4^ points. Wilder went up 4^, afterwards reducing 1 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 77 

point, while Brown went up 1+1=2 points. At the close of tlie 900 
yards' shooting another heavy storm drove the riflemen under cover. After 
severe rain for forty minutes the sun broke forth in all his glory, the wind 
coming from the west. This bright light occasioned considerable mirage, 
and put the shooters to their trumps to find the target again. The differences 
in elevations recorded above are not only remarkable but present a problem, 
which, the more it is considered, seems the more to require scientific study. 
The difference on account of direction of wind would seem to be more than 
Brown made, and the possibility of mistake suggested itself, but on review- 
ing the scores, it was found that all shot through at 900 yards without 
further change, and nothing remarkable occurred until they went to the 
1,000 yards range, with a change in light, from clouds to bright sun and 
mirage. Jackson, Sumner and Wilder went up the usual 24 points, Allen 
and Perry 23^, while Brown went up an unusual 26 points, all making 
splendid shooting. The author was about to leave this subject thus, " Some 
day it will be understood why Jackson required 7, Allen 6, Sumner 5, 
Perry 4^, Wilder 3|, and Brown but 2 points more in elevation, " but as 
the "rifles and ammunition were equivalent (absolutely), their positions the 
same, viz. : shooting from the arm-pit, sight on the heel of the butt, 100 
per centum of moisture, thermometer and barometer holding steady, wind 
direction and force equal for all, the author concluded to try and solve the 
problem. He went to Boston and met the shooters with their score books. 
The details were full and correct as had been reported. Jackson actually 
required his 7 points, and Brown only required his 2 points. If either had 
read his Vernier wrong then Allen stood there requiring 6 points, while 
Wilder required but 3^ points. 

The actual mathematical calculation of difference, 6f in. to a point 
counting from Brown's hit, would have thrown Jackson over the target, but 
the actual deviation at 900 yards for a point is greater. The author knows 
of no shooter who having a central bulls-eye would like to risk putting his 
elevation up a point, if he wished to stay in the " bull." 

After a consultation of two hours it was concluded that the difference must 
be located in the EYE. Allen has a light grey, Sumner a grey, Wilder a grey, 
Jackson a light hazel, Perry a hazel, and Brown a dark hazel eye. Jackson's 
eye is darker, but Jackson and Brown both have the same range and kind of 
vision, both using the same kind of glasses for near vision, while either can 
read a newspaper 6 feet away with the unassisted eye. Sumner's visionis 
clear at all distances. Allen's is exceptionally so, while Perry and Wilder 
require glasses to shoot with, being unable to define at a distance. Perry 
has a perfect vision within two feet distance, while Wilder uses glasses for 
all distances. The difference in the size of the peep-holes in the sight cups 
doubtless contributes to the complication. The pressure being made for the 
immediate production of this book, together with the fact that the season 
of the year is unpropitious for experimental study of these phenomena, 
forbids further research for treatment in this edition. 



78 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 

The author desires that any discrepancy of the kind that may occur in 
future shall be sent to him, with all the data the score diag-rams call for 
minutely given, also the color of the eyes and a statement as to the power 
of vision of the different eyes, siz3 'f peep-holes, amount of metal in front 
and behind the hole, and if the hole is beveled from front or rear, or 
both, etc. 

In thus following the detail as laid down in the book, the treatment may 
seem to be disconnected. Do not throw this paper aside because it may 
appear uninteresting. Do not read it lightly eithej-. The highest enco- 
miums the author has had came from those who had come to study 
"Modem Observations" as a textbook, and then, after they had become 
most proficient in shooting. 

Rifle shooting is a science of which simply burning powder and using lead 
as projectiles are the A B C's. However dry or however insurmountable 
the rules and obstacles may appear, face them with as much persistency as 
you would face a profession or a trade. Rifle shooting is nothing else in the 
abstract, but the fact that it is a costly amusement, thus making indulgence 
in it select, probably, is the reason why so many amateurs, taking it up, re- 
duce it to a pastime instead of a profession. In proportion as it is costly, in 
just that proportion ought its votaries to approach it with all the knowledge 
attainable, We might as well expect that novices should shut the doors of 
their senses against the inventions of the telephone and electric light, and 
still plod on in search of such inventions, as to expect a recruit in rifle 
shooting to ignore rules so carefully worked out in that science. 

In concludmg this article the author would recommend the use of a center 
fire straight shell (so called), made of hard brass, holding ten grains more 
powder than the rifle will burn, allowing the bullet to be barely seated, 
marking the shell before using, so that it can be inserted in the chamber 
the same way each time it is used. Secure an instrument for resizing the 
mouths of the shells. Select your powder after consulting the table. If 
you get a keg, secure also 1-lb. cans, and after seeing that they are very 
clean and dry, pour from the keg into the cans, and then seal the cans till 
used. If you use it out of the keg as needed, you will fail to get results 
from the last loading equal to the first. The author uses a Wilkinson loader 
to measure charges of powder, and gets great evenness by putting the 
powder in a Curtis's & Harvey's powder can, and, placing the finger over the 
mouth of the can, inverting it in the funnel of the loader. The shoulders 
of the can take off the pressure of the powder, and thus the loader produces 
the same weight each time. 

The first three or four charges should be discarded, until the loader gets 
fairly in operation. For fear of accident in the loader, the author weighs 
in addition, unless specially pressed for time, which, by the way, he don't 
allow to be the case. For Bullets, consult the table and the new styles. 
Use a thin wad, like Bristol card, in loading the shells with powder, just to 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTINC^. 79 

teep the powder from spilHng- out. As Allen says, " When you load at the 
breech, you have more time to watch the elements and the shooting of 
others." If you will load at the muzzle, do not use Hyde Base bullets, as 
the act of pushing them through the barrel will (perhaps once in a hundred 
times) loosen the paper. 

The author finds no reason to change the articles on pages 26 to 31, and 
believes that they give advice which can only be modified in isolated indi- 
vidual cases. SPOTTING THE SHOTS and KEEPING SCORE.— One com- 
petitor says : ' • My targets in the Tournament are poor and, therefore, not 
worth preserving." Do not fall into this error ; preserve the record of every 
shot, and accurately describe the reason of the failure to the best of your 
ability. If every shot was thrown on the target perfectly, you would keep 
it to look at ; very good. The elements might have been perfect for shoot- 
ing, and it teaches nothing ; but if you have a poor target there must be a 
reason for it, and if you record that reason, you will be the better able to 
avoid like failure again. 

Another competitor says : "I never have been accustomed to spot my 
shots with a glass. Had I been bright enough to have availed myself of 
such helps as others in my vicinity used, perhaps the showing might have 
been more favorable." 

Still another says : ''I am sorry that I cannot give you any information 
with regard to my shooting in the Tournament at Creedmoor, as I did not 
keep any diagram or record on that occasion. " 

One competitor made a miss that he could have avoided : "I would not 
have fired the shot if I had not been behind, from having several miss-fires 
previous. My companions on the target were complaining of my keeping 
them waiting." 

This gentleman could have passed his turn and reloaded, saving his miss, 
taking third place and $15, also making his aggregate score second only to 
Jackson's. Such complainmg ends when the score is done, and to-day he 
would be lauded by those who then complained if he had scored a bull's-eye 
instead of a miss. Page 36 is fully endorsed by the column of remarks in 
the tables. Study the errors or mishaps and their cost. Come to an under- 
standing like this : " I can nearly always trace, my misses to some avoidable 
cause; in other words, they are nearly all from carelessness." And if you 
do get a miss, find out why, if it costs days of thought, in the interests of 
the science and your brother riflemen. 



80 MODEiiN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 



LONG-RANGE, WITH MILITARY RIFLES. 

^- HOLD YOUR RIFLE PLUMB. ..^ 

In writing an article under this heading, the author is constrained to 
reproduce " An Open Letter on Military Sights," which explains itself. The 
letter was to have been replied to openly, but the only answer as yet pub- 
lished has appeared in the concessions made by General Wingate in the use 
of military rifles in the National Guard, State of New York, and in the 
changed rules of the National Rifle Association, 

By way of further preface to the article, the author desires to say that 
the changes are not radical enough, and that the improvement will have to 
eventually come to perfection. It remains for some o£B.cer in authority to 
grasp the occasion, and thus earn the right to be referred to in years to come 
as having given so much towards perfecting the military rifle. 

AN OPEN LETTER ON MILITARY SIGHTS. 
(From The Natioaal Guardsman, June 1, 1878.) 
The following letter from Captain E. A. Perry to the General Inspector of Rifle 
Practice speaks for itself : 

New York, May 8, 1878. 
Colonel Geo. W. Wingate, 

General Inspector of Rifle Practice, N. G. S. N. Y. : 

Colonel— In addressing you on the subject of military sights I not only recognise the 
fact that you are the responsible authority of the Empire State, empowered to make 
alterations if deemed advisable, but you are a Director of the National Rifle Association, 
chiefly consulted in such matters ; you are the author of a Manual on military rifle 
shooting, generally adopted by the different State Governments and portions of the Army 
and Navy ; you are, in the words of many besides myself, " the father of rifle shooting in 
this country." 

Believing that you are ever ready to adopt improvements when the theory and 
experience of others demonstrate that change can be made for the better, I presume to 
call your attention to conclusions which I have arrived at after careful practice and 
study. 

I do not assume to be the inventor of any ideas that I may advance, nor will I claim 
originality other than this, application of many methods for the production of a general 
and, as I deem, a much needed result. 

Long-range matches with military rifles being introduced, required of me that I 
should add suegestions to my treatise in " Perry's Green Book," and in my practice I have 
had the crudity of military sights and their inaptitude for fine work forced on my 
attention. 

My earnestness has been aroused from the fact that I found rifle manufacturers 
willing to improve military sights, but just as improvement was made necessary by the 
introduction of long-range matches, the National Rifle Association changed its interpre- 
tation of a military rifle in the Regulations for the present year, fairly prohibiting the 
changes that the manufacturers would willingly make. This restriction was, I understand, 
copied from the regulations of the N. R. A. of Great Britain ; it is to be hoped unwit- 
tingly. Whatever may be concluded ss best by our mother country (perhaps unwittingly 
also), Uncle Sam is cute enough to devise something a little more advantageous. 

In pursuing my inquiries among manufacturers, the manager for one of our principal 
rifle companies used the remark—" For the last twentj^ years we have done all we could 
to improve military rifles, but have never done anything to improve the sights." How 
many years back the rear-sight leaf was scaled for elevations I am at a loss to determine. 
Of course improvement in rifling, in powder, in bullets, cartridges, etc., etc., during all 
these years, has flattened the trajectory, but the figures 1, 2, etc., have been stamped on 
the rear sight, constantly, in the good old way, until, if you should set the sight now for 
1,000 yards, and fire an improved cartridge, the ball would pass at least 75 feet over the 
object aimed at. The more I have pursued this theme, the more I have become convinced 
that in our late war nine-tenths of all the shots fired, with the sights regulated for a 
prescribed distance, went far beyond the mark, and the place of greatest safety was the 
line aimed at. 



• MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 81 

My first suggestion is that the sights he scaled short of the distance, so, if the ohject is 
not hit direct, the chances are two to one in favor of a ricochet, which wonld prove 
dangerous, and show what more elevation wonld be required. This would always be the 
safe side, even for erroneous judgments of distances. The one caution on the battle-field 
was "fire low." Many, many thousands of times have I heard it. It need never have 
been uttered had the elevations bf^en marked low. Elevation is the only essential feature 
when a " line of battle " is the object ; right and left shots have ample field for destructive 
work. The remark has often been made at Creedmoor, when tiie military teams have 
been shooting, " What an awful skirmish line that would make." How true in comparison 
to our sldrmish lines in action ; but, passing do^m that line, not one rifle could be found 
with the sights regulated as scaled, and with but very few with the same sighting right 
and left. Some would be aiming on the target, others off. Intelligence produced the 
results, but if the sights had been right that intelligence could have been employed for 
still better results. 

The fact that sight taken across the straight edge of the sliding bar (rather than 
through the V) gives better elevations, has been recognized by yourself, and also through 
you by the N. E. A. The natural perverseness of human nature, or some other cause, 
prevents many from taking a sufiiciently small portion of the front sight to enable them 
to hold all the advantages of the straight bar, and so I have been induced to seek a more 
certain restriction for accuracy. 

At the long ranges even great care is not sufiicient to properly gauge the amoimt of 
front sight showing above the flat bar. The most natural substitute, and one which has 
been tried by Colonel Bodine with success, one also which is adopted oh the Remington 
sporting rifle, but more especially on the Peabody-Martini Kill-Deer rifle, was the peep- 
hole. Three peep-holes, made an eighth of an inch apart, right and left, and about a 
sixteenth from the top, admit of taking a sight for elevation each time alike ; the whole 
of the front sight showing, the point of it can be located at a given point on the target 
with certainty, and for successive shots with known uniformity. The peep-hole admits 
of seeing all that is passing in front, the appearance of the hole when the eye is looking 
through it (not at it ), being very much like a-V, the metal above it serving to mark the 
hole, but not ofliering a sufiicient barrier to the necessary vision of what may be trans- 
piring In front while the aim is being taken. Three holes are suggested. On a still day, 
the rifle being centered, the middle hole, being in the center of the sliding bar, can be 
used, and th.e point aimed at varied ; for a right wind the right hole din be usea, etc. The 
tioo holes not in use can readily be stopped with dirt or straw. In this way. with but 
little ingenuity, at whatever distance and in whatever wind, the object to be hit can 
always be aimed at, or approximately aimed at. 

So far I have not suggested anything that calls for new sights or new mechanical 
device. I would have the sights scaled just short of actual elevations, and the distances 
between the figures, from 2 to 3 or 9 to 10, divided into tenths, so that a record could be 
kept of elevations. This and the three peep-holes could be added at an insignificant 
cost. 

A Vernier screw is not necessary ; in fact I think it would be detrimental ; the 
distance for the sliding bar to move is small, as the sights are so near together. 

I feel somewhat confident that you will agree with me on the foregoing, but I wish to 
go further and suggest sights in comparison with the excellent shooting qualities of all 
the military arms made. Why have a rifle made that will shoot accurately, and then 
employ means of sighting it, that, to produce results, require the skill of a surveyor ? 
Why not have sights that in themselves contain the skill ? To accomplish so much but 
little is necessary. The sliding bar, with its three peep-holes, is good enough, but the 
rear sight could, without detriment to any interest, be carried back a little nearer the eye, 
say to the "breech pin." The leaf could hinge on a screw, which could move the sight 
right and left ; not much, for we have three peep-holes ; an eighth of an inch play is 
enough. The sight would be stronger than it is now, as the pin of the hinge is but one- 
tenth of an inch in diameter, and the screw which would take its place would have to be 
much larger. 

In " line-of -battle " fixing the wind gauge, subdivisions of elevation and peep-holes 
might not be necessary. When that time arrives the V, straight edge of the sliding bar, 
and the front sights are undisturbed. In skirmishing, for annoving batteries, picking off 
pickets, and all such more skillful uses, my suggestions increase' the capacity for accuracy 
three hundred per cent, over the present sights. I have tried them, and believe in them, 
and I think I can demonstrate them to others in actual practice. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

EDWIN A. PEREY. 

The concession in relation to sights is no less a matter of congratulation 

than is the permission to use any position for distances above 300 yards. It 

now remains for the authorities to allow the peep-hole and carry the sight 

back nearer the eye, especially if the back position is adopted by the riflemen. 

The author has ''conjured up " a back sight suitable for rifles, with a 



82 MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON EIFLE SHOOTING. 

metal breech frame, which is far stronger than those now in use, and which 
does not required to be centered before it can be closed, viz., an arch frame 
straddling the breech frame, beveled in, and havin^:^ on the top of the arch 
a suitable peep-hole, traveling by transverse screw adjustment, in a beveled 
frame, which protects the screw and offers windage the full width of the 
breech frame. A simihir traveling peep-hole could be put on a sight to be 
inserted in the heel of the butt of the rifle, to be removed when not in use 
by pulling it out. It would have to fit close to avoid lost motion. Its 
length would be determined by the drop of the butt stock. Elevation in 
both cases at the breech frame or butt, would be gauged by lowering or 
raising the sight, the peep-hole apparatus being above and entirely free from 
interference by or with elevations. 

In all this gain, the bayonet stud has not been interfered with . The 
beauty of the peep-hole, though acting more as a V, is, that once you look 
through it (and you will know if you do not), your only effort is to put the 
point of the bayonet stud wherever you please on the target. There is no 
longer any speculation as to how much front sight you are using, and you 
will be all the more liable to think to hold your rifle plumb. When you are 
shooting in the back position, you can readily see if the rifle is plumb. 

There are several ways to sijht over a straight edge back sight. The 
author takes the least bit of the tip of the front sight, and aims along the 
top edge of the target, cutting the target into imaginary points of windage, 
and relieving the eye of the glare of the full target. Others take in the 
whole tip of the front sight down to the bayonet stud, aiming along the top 
of the target with the tip of the front sight. 

Others use the V in the rear sight, taking so much of the front sight as 
will touch a line drawn across the top of the V. Some one of the above 
plans should be settled on, and adhered to, so that the sighting becomes a 
habit. Practice at home, Capt. Jackson spends one or two hours each day, 
except Sundays, sighting his rifles at home. 

Position is the next important feature. On pages 22 and 24 this subject 
is treated in all earne.-tness. The author desires, right here, to say that 
when men are taken to the mid-range firing points they are allowed to throw 
themselves into erroneous positions, either through the ignorance or criminal 
indifference of the instructor or the egotism so common to beginners. In 
long-range shooting in the prone position the instructions on page 24 must be 
followed in order to obtain even fair results. 

The article on Wind on page 28 should be learned ; as also Allowance, 
etc. , on page 32. As the sights on military rifles are nearer to each other than on 
fine rifles with the Vernier on the grip, less change would be needed to pro- 
duce a given result. Sight taken across a line drawn on the sliding bar 1-32 
of an inch to the right of center would put the ball on the target 8 inches to 
the right of the center of the target at 200 yards, 24 inches at 600 yards, 
and 40 inches at 1,000 yards. Do not forget the fact that the wind allow- 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING 83 

ance on a rear sig-lit should be toward the wind ; the opposite of allowance 
on a wind-gauge on the muzzle. 

It would seem at first thought that at long ranges much more allowance • 
should be made than at mid ranges. While this is slightly true, the error 
lies in the exaggeration. The farther you are from the target the greater 
the deviation would be for a given allowance on a still day ; the increased 
distance for the ball to cover gives more opportunity for the wind to act on it, 
so, one balances the other to a great extent. There is but one military arm 
known to the writer where the sliding bar, between the uprights, does not 
allow windage, enough for a half gale. For a gale make your allowance 
less, aiming at the next target to hit. your own. 

The point to be aimed at on the target will have to be varied for fluctua' 
tions in wind in view of the fact that the aim must be taken over lines 1-32 
of an inch apart. The complication attendant upon trying to divide distance 
between lines on the rear sight is too great, principally from the fact that 
the focus of the eye must be changed to enable it to be done. As far as 
possible let the eye observe the sights uniformly and make your allowances 
on the face of the target — a wider field for jadgment of distance and re- 
quiring but one efEort of the eye, viz.: to see. Divide the distance from 
right to left as best you can for fluctuations in wind. 

The author recommends that the sights be smoked a dead black and kept 
so throughout the shooting. 

When so much is conquered, apply yourself carefully to the other pages of 
this book. 

In reloading ammunition for a military rifle, if your firing pin is of such 
make as to be safe, place the shell in the chamber and close the breech- 
block ; having gotten it in once, if you mark the shell, you will have no 
trouble, on the field, in putting it in again. Pour your powder in slowly 
from the muzzle ; this packs it properly. Put in a thin but tough wad (the 
best are made out of lithographic press paper), send it home sure. Put in 
a disc of lubricant (to be had at all gun houses). Put in the bullet, and 
w^hen it is home, put your weight on the rod three times. 

This way of making cartridges is excellent ; it will be better than if 
machine made, because the powder is packed, not crushed. They will keep 
nicely, the lubricant hermetically sealing them. 



84 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTING. 




Capt. W. H. JACKSON, Boston, Mass. 

Captain American Team of 1878. Winner of the Long Range Tournament, 1879. 
True Off-Sand Position. 

Capt. Jackson has made the following records in this position, Walnut 
Hill Range, December 6th, 1879, 200 yards : 

Ten Shots, -5555555554 - - - Total, 49 out of 50. 
Fifteen Shots, 555555555455555 - - " 74 " 75. 
Twenty Shots, 555555555455555445 5 5 " 97 " 100. 

With a Military rifle (regulation open sights), the Captain has made 48 
out of 50 twice, and 47 out of 50 several times. 



MODERN OBSERVATIONS ON RIFLE SHOOTINa. 85 



40 Chestnut Street, ) 
Boston, Feb. 34, 1880. S 



Captain E. A. PERRY. 

My Dear Captain : 



To answer your desire ' ' that I will state my reasons for advocating- true 
off*-hand position, and to describe the position for the benefit of others," I 
will first say that I began shooting by resting the arm against the body, 
balancing the rifle upon the ends of my fingers, and had to learn over again 
when I took up off-hand shooting. 

The position is simple. Seize the piece between the thumb and fore- 
finger, bent ■(in fact all the fingers tightly closed, to stiffen the muscles of 
the forearm) about six Inches in front of the trigger guard, hand well under 
the piece ; grasp the small of the stock firmly with the right hand, and raise 
the piece to the shoulder ; do not bend the knees or back, nor couch down 
in an awkward position ; stand erect, and bring the rifle up ; feel perfectly 
easy ; carry the left elbow well under the piece, raise the right elbow level 
with the shoulder, drop the head slightly forward, resting the cheek upon 
the stock. When the aim is perfect, do not pull with a jerk, but press the 
trigger firmly, noticing where the gun is pointing at the instant of discharge, 
and see if the marker verifies it. Have the hole in the peep cup large, or the 
target will be indistinct. Mark the shells, and put them in the same side 
up and ihey will give better service. 

We shoot for pleasure and health. Let us cultivate that style of hold- 
ing the rifle which gives the greatest freedom and ease ; and as the school of 
the soldier is to make the man erect and graceful, so let us cultivate that 
grace of position in our noble sport of rifle shooting. I made, in a match at 
Walnut Hill, on the 6th of December, 1879, in ten consecutive shots, 49 ; in 
fifteen consecutive shots, 74 ; in twenty consecutive shots, 97. 

I am, respectfully, 

W. H. JACKSON. 





















PAGE 


SUMMARY. WIND. 






I OCCASION. DATE. : TIME. ; WEATHER, i Light, i Direction 


. FORCE 
















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L 



NOETH SIDE OP E. E. DEPOT. 



JOHN KLEIN, 

Proprietor. 




With a view to affording ample accommodations to all who visit 
Creedmoor Eange, Mr Klein respectfully hegs to announce to his patrons 
and friends, that he has recently erected the handsome and commodious hotel 
on the north Side of the Railroad Depot, within three minutes walk of the 
Rifle Range and he invites all to come and inspect the premises. It will 
he his constant aim to satisfactorily cater to the Wants of his guests, and so 
merit a continuance of the patronage so generously bestowed upon him 
in the past, 

REFRESHMENTS OF ALL KINDS. ALES, WINES, LIQUORS AND 
CIGARS, KEPT CONSTANTLY ON HAND. 

The Cuisine of the Hotel is under the very best Management. 

Lunches, Dinners and Suppers excellently prepared and promptly served. 
UNEXCELLED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PRIVATE PARTIES, 



Board by the Day, Week or Month. 



Creedmoor Hotel. 

— -^^m » « e> « a 

BOSCill k JO0ST, 

Successors to Capt. L. G-. T. BEUER, 

Have e7ilarged iheir Hotel, and offer to their Patrons, Accommodations in 

IN THE LARGE NEW DINING ROOM, 

All.Ivefreshments will be served; as also, 

WINES, ALES, LAGER, LIQUORS, SEGARS, &f 

The old place formerly occupied by Cai3t. Bruer, will 
be retained as strictly a 

TEMPERANCE LUNOH ROOM. 

LOCKERS TO REBiTT AS BEFORE. 

Has been put over the old place, and a "FTTSTT! BA.IjCON Y5 where 
the Shootino; can be seen. 



Has been thoroughly renovated, and furnished throughout with Neio 
'Furniture, for the accommodation of those who wish to remain over at the 
Range, and for FAMILIES TO BOARD at reasonable rates. 



CAPT. BRUER WILL HAVE CHARGE OF THE LOCKERS. 



90 



TOTAL 



Vd5 date 



18T 



LOOK AT YOUR 




SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE TIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 



/ 

/ / 

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YDS DATE 



187 



TOTAL 



BEGINNERS SHD 



OLD STUDY PAGES »5, 2Z,£3, AND 




24 CARIirULLY 



YDS DATE 



■37 
DEFER TO THE MlANUAL AND IT WILL 3AVF YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 



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TOTAL 



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LOOK AT YOUR Sl&HTS AGAIN BEFOKE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 



/ / 




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YDS DATi 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15,22 23, AN D 24 CAREFULLY 




\ \ 



\ \ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



1 67 



DEFER TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




GRAND 
TOTAL 



\ \ 



^^ 



93 



Nq DF'SHDT 


/ 


z 





4- 


& 


6 


1 


If 


9 


10 


11 


tz 


f3 


14- 


7^ 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 














-- 


















WIND GAUCE 
































** DIRECTION 
































" FDRCE 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































1. THERMOMETER 
































i BAROMETER 
































HYGROMETER 
































BULLET 
































POWDER 














' 


















SIGHT 
































RIFLE 
































TIME 














■ ■ 


















•No DF SHOT 


/ 


z 


e 


4- 


s 


e 


1 


s 


9 


10 


ff 


A 


13 


14- 


iS 


■1 SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































** DlRECTiaN 
































** FORCE 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
















' ^ 
















THERMOMETER 
































BAROMETER 
































: HYDROMETER 
































: BULLET 
































: POWDER 
































: SIC5,HT 
































i RIFLE 
































i TIME 
































! No OF SHOT 


1 


z 


3 


^ 


s 


6 


1 


g 


s> 


10 


i1 


U 


13 


It 


IS 


1 ... SCORE' 
































' ELEVATION 
































WIND GtAUGE 
































'■''■ DIRECTION 
































! *' FORCE . 
































WEATHER 
































LiG,HT 
































THERMOMETER 
































BAROMETER 
































HYGROMETER 
































BULLET 
































POWDER 
































3IGHT 
































RIFLE 




























. 




TIME 

































94: 



VG3 DATbl ^ ^ ^ ^^ 187 

LOOK AT YOUR I SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING. ThIe ' FIRST SHOT. 







*»,_,/ 



^^. 



YDS date: 



IG7 



TOTAL I 



! ( 

/ / 



rOTAL 



BEGINNERS SHO 



ULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22, £3, AND 




'A CAREFULLY 



\ \- -4 



YDS DATE 



I&7 



\ i 



TOTAL 



QEFEK TO THE M^^NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YDU Tl ME AND MONEY 




SraHd 

TOTAL 






95 



^ No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


T 


8 


9 


10 


M 


12. 


13 


14 


15 


' SCOKE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ^ 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


i-s 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
















■ 
















LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET j 


TIME 
































NO OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


4 


5 


S 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


\Z 


13 


14 


15 


. SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































' WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


,WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE ' SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


TIME 































J 



96 



TOTAL 



Vns DATE 



LOOK AT YOUR 



SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING, TH 




187 
E FIRST SHOT. 





^■^'' "" 




^ 






f 




/ 


X' ^-s 


1 


/ 


1 


1 




1 ^'-N 


1 


{ ^ 


1 


1 ^ ' 


\ 


\ •--' 


\ 


N 


\ 
\ 


'^^..,..^' 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHD 



ULD STUDY PAGES JS, 22, £3, AND 
f 




24 CAREFULLY 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



DEFEK TO THE M \NUAL AND IT WILL 5AVF YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




HraniT 

TOTAL 



I 1 ( 
1 < •-.-■ 



' 



97 



No OF SHQ 


T 


1 


"2" 


g 


4 


T- 


G 


7 


8 


9 


— 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
















_ 
















'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


ORY 
































METER 


\A€T 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ^ 


TIME 






/ 


























No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■^" 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMOl 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 


i 
























i s 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


■d 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT i 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET I 


TIME 






























J 



98 



TOTAL 



Vgs CATi 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFDF\E PIKING THE FIRST SHOT. 




i i < 






"OTAL 



YDS . DATE 



137 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES I5, 2-2,Z3, AN D 24 CAREFULLY 




f 

I / 



\ 
\ 

\ \ 



"*»-.-. 



YDS DATE 



187 



TOTAL 



TOTAL 



\ \ 

I 



DEFEK TO THE M^NUAL AND iT WILL SAVF YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 



8 Ai. I. I M 





















99 




















No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


M 


IZ 


13 


14- 


15 


i SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































1 WINDGAU&E 
































' '' DIRECTION 
































'; WEATHER 
































\ LIGHT 
































; THERMO 
' METER 


DRY 
































W€T 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































L No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


!0 


11 


IZ 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































1 ELEVATION 
































' WIND GAUGE 
































: '' DIRECTION 
































j!' WEATHER 
































i LIGHT 
































\ THERMO 
i METER 


DRY 
































\ 

WET 
































1 BAROMETER 


i 




























j RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET I 


[ TIME 
































'i NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


7> 


4 


S 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


\z 


13 


14 


15 


1' SCORE 
































1 ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION. 
































i "weather 
































LIGHT " i 
































THERMO 
' METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


\ TIME 


" 














L_ 




- — 1 








J 



100 



■&ndiMliMkMHBa«M 



"(frismfiniiiitt",rtfn 



TOTAL 



Yds date 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 



=J 




'M. 




s 



'«..-'' 



I ( 



»J«: 



YDS DATE 



IG7 



TOTAL 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES I5, ££,£3, AND 24 CAREFULLY 







I 
/ 



-1 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



Srand 

TOTAL 



DEFEK TO THE M^NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




s 

















101 
















1 




^0 QF SHOT 


1 





3 




"r 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


13 


14 


!§ 


'^ SCORE 


























. 






ELEVATION 




























^ 




WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 






























^ 


LIGHT ^ 
































THERMO 


ORY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 






























'^ 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ' ~i 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


s 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12, 


i-a 


14- 


IS 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 


























» 






'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 




























■r 




THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 










• 


















1 


v 


BAROMETER 










■ 




• 














i- 




RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLETA | 


TIME 
































NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


■3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 




























T • 




ELEVATION 


























■,;'t 






WIND GAUGE 












. , . 


■ 














^ 




" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 


- 
























-;ij 






LIGHT ^^ 




- 






















<t 






THERMO 


DRY 


— 






















■^ 


'<t 






METER 


WET 


























'> 






BAROMETER 


























-^ 






« RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


; ^TIME^ 




'--■? 


.:? 




J^ 





_ 














a 



102 



TOTAL 



V05 DATi 



IB7 

LOOK AT YOUR I SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 




/ / 

i I 



I 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22, £3, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




5 \ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



•87 



DEFER TO THE M 



ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl 




ME AND MONEY 



SraITS" 

TOTAL 



\ « 



103 



No OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


+ 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12. 


• 13 


14- 


15 


SCOKE- 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAU&E 
































'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 


.^ 






























THERMO 
^ METER . 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TfME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


1 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


1-3 


14- 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 

































METER 


WET 






























BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


^__ 


Z 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































*' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WELT 
































BAROMETER 
































, RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 


















! 



104 



V05 DATE 



187 

LOOK AT YOUR I SIGHTS AGAIN BEFQKE FIRING THIE FIRST SHOT. 




I / 

N 



'».--' 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES IS, 22, £3, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




TOTAL 





/ 





TOTAL 



V ' 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



TOTAL 



DEFEK TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL 5AVF YDU Tl 




ME AND MONEY 



TOTALi 








































= No OF SHOT 


1 


FT" 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12 


13 


14 


15 


' SCOKE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































; WEATHER 
































I LIGHT 
































i THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































W£T 
































' BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


■ TIME 
































= No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


^ 


"s" 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


1-3 


14 


15 


» SCORE 
































i ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































^' WEATHER 
































1 LIGHT 
































\ THERMO] 


DRY 
































METER , 


WET 
































i BAROMETER 




























i ! 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


- TIME 










. 






















= NO or SHOT 


1 


Z 


•3 


4 


s 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


IZ 


13 


14 


15 


[ SCORE 
































= ELEVATION 
































= WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































i LIGHT' 
































i' THERMO 


DRY 
































1 METER 


WELT 
































BARDMETEF 
































' RIFLE SIGHT POWOEK BULLET ! 


' TIME 


1 
















1 


L. 


1 1 



106 



Vg3 CATt 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SI&HTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 




TOTAL 



/ / 

• I 

I « 

'. \ 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES IS, 2£, 23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




YDS DATE 



i&7 



: I 

t 
/ 



TOTAL 



TOTAL 



DEFER TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 



! 1 i 
i ^ 

















107 




















No OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


\1 


13 


n+" 


15 


SCQKE 
































ELEVATION 
































WINDGAU&E 
































'' DIRECTION 
































, WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































i THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


, TIME 
































. m OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5. 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12, 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMri 


DRY 
































METER . 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































NO or SHOT 


1 


Z 


-5 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


\Z 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THEKMOI 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET I 


TIME 






























1 



































""■" 





108 



TOTAL 



V05 DATE 



187 

LOOK AT YOUR] SI&HTS AGAIN BEFGKE FIRING THlE FIRST SHOT. 



/ / 







YDS . DATE 



187 



TOTAL 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES J5,2£ £3, AN D 24 CAREFULLY 




v.- 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



DEFEK TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl 



L 




ME AND MONEY 



! 1 



granH 

TOTAL 



\ \ 



! 

1 














109 




















^ No or SHOT 


1 


"T" 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


" 


12, 


13 


14 


IS 


f 5C0K£ 






























i ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 




















. 












" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































j LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 




■3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 


































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































1 LIGHT 
































i THERMO 


DRY 
































' METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


■ TIME 
































; NO OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


■d 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


13 


14 


15 


SGORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































i WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMd 


DRY 




















. 












METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































' RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


' TIME 































110 



V03 DATi 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFOKE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 




N 

\ 



^^. 



TOTAL 



I I 

/ 

/ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15,22 23, AN D 24 CAREFULLY 




\ y 



» \ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



OEFEK TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




Srand 

TOTAL 



\ \ 




















111 
















•B=«r1 


No OF SHOT 


1 





3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


-rn 


13 


14 


IS 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WJNDGAU&E 






























'^ DIRECTION 


_. 






























WEATHER 


, 






























' LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































i METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER. BULLET | 


' TIME , 


































; No OF SHQ- 


r 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


i-s 


14 


15 


SCORE 
ELEW-iON 


























, 


„. 


































1 ■' ■ 
\A/IND GAUGE 
































*' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































1 LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


v/ET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 






















1 




1 


NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


•5 


4 


S 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 1 13 


14 I IS 


SCORE 





























I 


ELEVATION 






























WIND GAUGE 




























i 


" DIRECTION 




























■ i ' 


WEATHER 




























1 


LIGHT > 




























1 




THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETEF 


._■ 


























1 


RIFLE ' SIGHT POWDER BULLET • | 


TIME^ 






L. 




i 1 


L_ 










L 


u 



112 



TOTAL 



VOS DATE 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 




i \ 



I i 



TOTAL 



YDS DAT! 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES »5,22,Z3,AND 24 CAREFULLY 




\ 
\ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



I&7 



DEFER TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Ti ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 



« ! 



113 



■Jo OF SHOT 




""2" 


o3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12. 


13 


14 


15 


j SCOKE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































/WEATHER 
































jl LIGHT 
































Ithermo 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































[Mo OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 


12, 


1-3 


14 


15 


1 ■ SCORE 
































[elevation 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































,WEATHER 
































[light 
































|THERMO 


DRY 
































'METER 


WET 
























. 








BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


1 TIME 
































' n]o of shot 


1 


Z 


^ 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


j score; 






























• 


f ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































*' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































;: THERMO 
llMETER 


DRY 
































WET 
































! BAROMETER 
































aiFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET I 


TIME 




























u 



114 



TOTAL! 



Yds date 



187 

LOOK at YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THlE FIRST SHOT. 




^^. 



\ i 

i li 



"OTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES J5, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




YDS DATE 



i&7 



DEFEK TO THE M ^NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YDU Tl ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 









115 



Jo OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


"H 


7 


"H 


9 


10 


M 


IZ 


13 


14 


15 


SCQKE 
















,1 
















ELEVATION 
































WIND GAU&E 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMET 


ER 






























RIFLE 


SIGHT POWDER BULLET ,| 


TIME 


































-NO OF SHOT 


1 


2 


-3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































! WEATHER 
































. — 

LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































'' METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 






























RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET \ 


TIME 






























15 


NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


■3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


3 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


SCORE 






























ELEVATION 
































: WIND GAUGE 
































'"DIRECTION 
































^ WEATHER 
































- LIGHT 
































r THERMO 


DRY 
















* 
















': IviETER 


WEIT 
































BARDMETEF 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ! 


. TIME 


1 




1 1 




L_ 








L_ 


1_ 


L. 


1 1 


u 



116 



VD3 date 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIC-HTS AGAIN BEFORE riRINGTHE FIRST SHOT. 




/ / 






^^^ 



TOTAL 



s 

I 



YDS DATE 



187 



3EG1NNERS SHO 



ULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22,23, AND 




=„J„ 



24 CAREFULLY 



TOTAL 






v.- 



> I 
I 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 


















117 




~' 


™. 










"No or SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


" ) G 


7 . 






10 


II 12. 


13 "f 


14 I I5J 


SCORE ' 




















— 








ELEVATION 












" 









i J 

i 


WIND GAUGE 












'' DIRECTION 






























' WEATHER 






























J 


LIGHT 


























1 

1 ; 


THERMO 
' METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
























- 


i 

! 




RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


TIME 




























1 


'No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


•1 


12. 


'\'d 


!4- 1 13 


SCORE 




























i 
t 


ELEVATION 




























1 


WIND GAUGE 














» 


















" DIRECTION 
































/ WEATHER 
































i LIGHT 






















• 










; THERMO 


DRY 


. 




























1 


\ METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE ' SIGHT POWDER BULLET ] 


TIME 






























15 i 


"No OF SHOT 


1 


2, 


3 


4 


5 


S 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


SCORE 
































■ ELEVATION 
































■WIND GAUGE 




























' 


' 


' "DIRECTION 
































-WEATHER 
































: LIGHT 




























< 




^ THERMO 


DRY 
































! METER 


WET 
































^ BAROMETER 
































RIFLE . SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


' TIME 




























_ 


J 



118 



Yds datu 



187 



OOK AT YOUR I SIGHTS AGAIN BCFDRE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 




i I 

S 



^^ 



TOTAL 



/i 

/ I 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHO 



ULD STUDY PAGES 15, 2£,Z3, AND 



24 CAREFULLY 




TOTAL! 



*** -.---' 



YDS DATE 



167 



DEFER TO THE M 



ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl 



ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL, 



tRANi 
TOTAI 

















lis 








— 












= No OF SHOT 


1 


T 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 




II 


"iTl 


13 


TT 


15 


. SCQKE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































;' WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































i THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


J WEI 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET H 


- TIME 
































; No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5 




7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


\-3 


14 


15 


. SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































, "DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































■ THERMO 


DRY 
































' METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE , SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


■ TIME 
































= N0 OF SHOT 


I 


Z 


■3 


4 


5 


S 


7 


8 


9 


10 


Jl 


12 


13 


14 


IS 


- SCORE 
































= ELEVATION 
































= WIND GAUGE 
































, "DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































^ METER 


WET 


















> 














BAROMETER 
































RIFLE ' SIGHT POWDEK BULLET 1 


■TIME 




" 








,^_^ 










^^^ 


^^_ 






u 



120 



V05 DATi 



107 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BCFORE: FIRING, TH E riRST SHOT, 




i i 

\ 

\ 
\ 



/ 



^^. 



tdtalI 



I 

/ 



total 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



TOTAL 



\ 1 



DEFER TO THE MANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




I ! 



I I 



121 



No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12 


13 


— 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 

































WIND GAU&E 






























'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER . 


DRY 






















■ 










WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 


\Z 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































1 


WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER , 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 


i 
























1 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET f 


TIME 
































NO OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■5 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 














"~ 


















WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT i 




' 




























THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WEIT 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


TIME 






















_ 








J 





122 








TOTAL 


Vns DATl ^ '187. , 




LOOK AT VOUR 


SIGHTS AGAIN BEFOKE TIRING TH 


E FIRST SHOT. 






(vp^ 


/ 


> 

1 




ly^ 


> 


1 ( 

/ 
/ 
/ 




TOTAL 


YDS DAT^ IG7 




BEGINNERS SHD 


ULD STUDY PAGES tS, 22., £3, AN D 


24 CAREFULLY 






f(^% 


/ / 


N. 

N 

\ 
\ 
\ 

\ \. 

1 1 1 




^yJJ 




/ ; 

/ 




TOTAL 


YDS DATE ■ i&7 




DEFER TO THE M 


ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVF YOU Tl 


ME AND MONEY 

/ 

/ 

/ / . • • , 

1 ' ' ' 


'5raI'd^ 

TOTAL 


*x 1 

\ 

\ \ 
1 




I I \ '! I 


\ '^ ''-"*' 






\Vi_y/ 












> 








1 



1^3 



No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


— 


13 


14 


15 


SCOKE 


- 






























ELEVATION 




















- 












WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WEI 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


\7> 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION- 
































WEATHER 
































LIG.HT 












. 




















THERMO] 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 


i 




























RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


S 


4 


S 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IE 


13 


14 


15 


. SCORE 






■ 


























ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































UGHT i 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WELT 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


.TIME 






























J 



124: 



V03 DATi 



LOOK AT VOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE TIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 



/ / 



1 I < > 




187 



TOTAL 



"N. 



v^ 



YDS DATE 



IG7 



TOTAL 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY R^GES »S, 22.,a3, AN 24 CAREFULLY 




v.. 



.^ ■-' 



I 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



I&7 



feRANDi 
TOTAL 



DEFER TO THE M ^NUAL AND IT WILL SAVF YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




/ / 



125 



No OF SHOT 


1 


rr 


-r 


4 


5 


6 


T" 




9 


10 


n 


IZ 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WE7 






























I 


BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ! 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


(•a 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































L1G.HT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































METER ; 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET f 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


ji 


12. 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 




























' 




ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































IHERMol 


DRY 
































METER 


WELT 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


r\W 








L«ii. 










.^ 












J 





126 






VC5 DATE I8T 


TOTAL 




LOOK AT YOUR 


SIGHTS AGAIN BEFDPvE riRING TH 


E nr.ST" SHOT. 






Z"'"'""""*^ 


" .---- ■ 




^r ^^_i 1 ^^^ "v 


^y 


s^ 




M ^^^ '^^ \ 


/ 


\ 






t ^»— <» 


\ 




If »'" "** \ \ 


/ /'' --^ 


* 




Mm* < \ V 


/ / 


1 J 




1 1 * 111 


1 # .,-'% 

1 1 »' '• 




I \ V ' / / 




1 \ 




\ \. *"*•--''' / i 


N 


1 




V ^^ .^ / 


s ' 


/ 

/ 




^v ^^^ -^^ y 


N 


• 




^—^ 


V^ . ' 


1 




TOTAL 1 


YDS DATC 187 




BEGINNERS .SHD 


ULD STUDY PAGES IS, 22, £3, AND 


24 CAREFULLY 






^^^ ^^-^^ 








^r ^^^_^__^ ^V 


X 


" V 




x^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ 


y 


\ 




X^ ^^ ^^^ ^W 




s 




/ x^ ^V \ 


/ ^•''' ^% 


\- 




1 I ! \ 1 








I \ '\ / / 1 


1 • t / 


1 ' ' 

/ ; 




\ \ » ^ *' m 1 


V N / 


t i 






\ ■*"--. .-' 


/ 




\ ^^ .^^ X 


\ "" 






^V ^^- ^^^ .X 


^V 


y - ■ -1 




^^— ^ 


'«^,_ _ _-' 






TOTAL 


YDS DATE 187 




DEFEK TO THE M 


ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl 


ME AND MONEY 








•'' 


TOTAL 






Jr ~ ..^^^'^^^u^ ^^ 




•»» \ 






/ 








/ 






/ A ^^--•^ \ \ 


/ .-"' '"^ 


\ \ 




(((;)) 


ill'- 


) ] 




V V -,.... y / 




I 1 

7 






\ 


J 




^k .^^^^ . _ . . . ,^r^ M 


N 


• 






''n 














^*s^^ ^^^ 


- ~ -' 



























t2T 






r~ 


-m 












No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


nr 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCOKE 
































ELEVATION 


" 






























WIND GAU&E 
































" DIRECTION 
































, WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































^ THERMO 
' METER . 


DRY 
































WEI 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER 


BULLET 1 


TIME 
































> No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


'\-d 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO] 


DRY 
































METER . 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER 


BULLET 1 


TIME 
































. NO OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































. ELEVATION 
































. WIND GAUGE 










. 






















"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































i LIGHT 
































'l THERMO 
. METER 


DRY 
































WELT 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER 


BULLET 1 


TIME 
























! 



128 



TOTAL 



V03 nATi 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFOaE FIRING ThE FIRST SHOT. 



I ( 

I ( 







^^. 



YDS date: 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




/ , 

I / 



\ \ 



V .' 



/ 
/ 



TOTAL 



\ I 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



167 



DEFEK TO THE M ^NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 
















.... 




129 




















t No or SHOT 


1 ' 


T 


3 




"-'■ 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12. 


13 


14- 


15 


! SCORE 
































1 ELEVATION 
































[ WINDGAU&E 
































i " DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































j LIGHT 
































1 THERMO 


DRY 
































METER 


WEf 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































r No OF SHOT 


1 


1 


■3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


11 


iZ 


[■a 


14- 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 

































WINDGAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































' LIGHT 
































THERMd 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 




























1 1 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































1 No OF SHOT 


1 


z 


■5 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 ■• 


II 


\z 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WINDGAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 


DRY 
































, METER 


W£t 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


_TIME 








1 














-. 




J 



130 



TOTAL 



Vg5 date 



187 

LOOK AT VOUR I SI&HTS AGAIN' BEFORE FIRING THlE FIRST SHOT. 




TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES IS, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



1 87 



DEFER TO THE M \NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU Tl ME AND MONEY 




TOTAL 













131 






















No Of SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


4 


~5T 


e 


7 


"H" 


9 


irr 


"^ 


IZ 


13 


14 


\o 




SCORE 


































ELEVATION 


































WIND GAUGE 


































" DIRECTION 


































' WEATHER 


































, LIGHT 
































1 THERMoIdry 


































'. METER JwEi 


































i BAROMETER 


































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 






TIME 


































- No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12, 


1*3 


14 


15 




SCORE 


































ELEVATION 


































WIND GAUGE 


































" DIRECTION 


































' WEATHER 


































LIGHT 
































THERMOIdry 


































METER wEf 


































BAROMETER 




























1 




Rin r SIGHT POWDER BULLET 




TIME 














L. 




















NO OF SHOT 


1 


2. 


3 


4 


5 


6 


& 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 




SCORE 
























■ 








ELEVATION 


































WIND GAUGE 


































"DIRECTION 


































WEATHER 


































, LIGHT 


































^ THERMO DRY 


































! METER wEiT 


































BARDMETEF 


^ 






























RIFI F SIGHT POWDER BULLET' 




1 TIME 






L. 




1 


1 




1 , 




L_ 


J_ 


1_ 


L_ 


1 









































132 



V03 DATE 



187 



TOTAL 



LOOK AT YOUR 



SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING THE FIRST SHOT. 



I 

\ \ 

\ 




: I 

/ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS .SHOULD STUDY PAGES 15,22 23, AN D 24 CAREFULLY 




\ 
v 
\ 

\ 
\ \ 

\ 



^- 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



i&7 



DEFER. TO THE M \NUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YDU Tl ME AND MONEY 



ill 




GRAk5 
TOTAL 



. 














133 




















; NO or SHC 


T 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


15 


. SCORE 


























ELEVATION 
































; WIND GAUGE 
































" " DIRECTION 
































; WEATHER 
































1 LIGHT 
































1 THERMO 
METER . 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































, RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


,1 TIME 












— J 




















^ No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


« 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


i^a 


14 


15 


, SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































"DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































1 LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER . 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


; TIME 
































. NO OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


IS 


i SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































J WIND GAUGE 
































i "DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































1 BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


■ TIME 




^^^^^ 












>»«■ 


_^_ 


^^^^ 


HMM 






u 









! 


134 ; 




TOTAL ; 






'' VC3 DATE 187 




LOOK AT YOUR 


SIGHTS AGAIN BEFOaE FIRING. TH 


E FIRST SHOT. 






y""^ N. 


*^ 








^x 


"'s 












X .^^ ^^. ^ 


/'- 


\ 1 




f y ^V \ 


/ ,.- -. 


\ 




/ f ,'*'*»^ \ \ 


/ /' 


\ 
\ 




1 1 / • 1 1 




\ w 




1 I \ ) J 1 




1 !', 




\ X ^-.--'' y / 


N ^H y 


.1 




\ \^ ^^ i 


\ 


f 




■\. ^^^-1 1 "^^ v^ 


X 


y \ 




^—^ 


^*-* -•' 






TOTAL 


YDS DATE 187 


. 


BEGINNERS ,SHO 


OLD STUDY R^GES 15,22 23, AN D 


24 CAREFULLY 






^r ^^^^^^^ ^^ 


• 


V 




w .^^^^^^^^^^^. ^V 


/ 


N ! 




/ y^ ... ^v^ \ 








/ t y' \ \ 


/ / 


, \ 




1 1 / '. \ 1 


/ / r-\ 


\ \ 




11' ''II 


1 1 \ ! 


\ • 




1 ■ \ {It 


\ \ ^-'' 


/ ' 




\ \ \ ''It 


\ \ 


/ / 




\ ^*- ** X M 


» N y 


/ 




\ N^ ^/ / 


\ ^-- ' 


/ 
/ 




^V. ^^^1 1 11-^^^ ^r 


V^^ 


y 




^—-^ 








TOTAL , 


YDS DATE i&7 




DEFER TO THE M 


ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YDU Tl 


ME AND MONEY 


TOTAL 






^r ^^^^"^^^B^ ^^ 


/^ 


■*♦ 






y 








/ 






/ y^ ^^ — ^ ^ \ 


/ ,-' '-^ 


\ 




/ / '^' ^*^ \ \ 


/ / 
/ t . • • 






III ill 


f 1 

1 1 1 • 


\ ', 




1 1 \ '' 1 1 


» '^ '*-..'•' 






\ \ ^> t' M 1 


\ *^ 


t 1 




\ V **v---' y / 


V ^--. ,..' 


/ 






\ ~~ 


jf 




^w ^^-fc ^^^^^ ^ 


N^ 


• 






*> 












: 


^—^ 





















IBS 




















i\JG DF SHOT 


1 


-n 


3 


4 


5 


e. 


T 


8 


9 


10 


II 


"fr 


13 


14 


\b 


SCORE 








- 
























ELEVATION 








r^ 
























WIND GAU&E 
































'^ DIRECTION 


■ 




























_ 


WEATHER 

































LIGHT 
































THERMoloRY 






- 


























METER . 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER. BULLET | 


TIME 


























_» 




_ 


No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


■3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


N 


12- 


,'\ 


14 


1 15 


SCORE 


























ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 






























^ 


No OF SHOT 


1 


z 


•a 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12 


13 


14 


^ 


SCORE 




























1 


ELEVATION 




























1 ' 


WIND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 




























■ 


■ 


WEATHER 
































LIGHT ^ 
































THERMO 
METER 


DRY 






























WEIT 


? 






























BAROMETER 


._; 






























RIFLE 








SIG 


HT 






POV 


VDE 


R 




B 


ULL 


ET 




_ 



TIME 



136 



V03 CATC 



187 



LOOK AT YOUR SIGHTS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING, THE FIRST SHOT. 




/ /' 






\ 

\ 



TOTAL 



i { 

/ 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



187 



BEGINNERS SHOULD STUDY PAGES »5, 22,23, AND 24 CAREFULLY 




\ 
\ 

\ \ 

I 



TOTAL 



YDS DATE 



'&7 



TOTAL 



DEFEK TO THE M ^NUAL AND IT WILL 3AVF YOU T! ME AND MONEY 




\ \ 



137 



" \Ja OF SHOT 


1 


"2" 


c3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


IZ 


rrr 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































WIND GAUGE 
































'' DIRECTION 
































; WEATHER 
































I LIGHT 
































( THERMO 
METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































jNO of SHOT 


1 


2 


•3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


fs 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































! ELEVATION 
































. WIND GAUGE 
































' " DIRECTION 
































', WEATHER 
































'. LIGHT 
































1 THERMO 
1 METER 


DRY 
































WET 
































I BAROMETER 












_ 
















i 1 


i RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET ! 


TIME 






























NO OF SHOT 


1 


Z 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


12. 


1^ 14 1 15 


SCORE 


























!, 


i ELEVATION 






























i WIND GAUGE 
































* ''DIRECTION 
































* WEATHER 






























1 


1 LIGHT 






























1 


THERMO' 


DRY 












-' 




















!l IMETER 


WtT 












■ 




















^ BAROMETER 












* 


















; 


RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET 1 


J-JME 































J38 




... * 


Vgs date ' 187 


TDTA 




LOOK AT YOUR 


SIGHTS AGAI.N BEFOKE FIRING. Ti- 


E FIRST SHOT. 






/?Sx\ 








%£) 


1 \ '-.J 


1 
/ 

/ 
• 




TOM- 


YDS DATE 187 




BEGINNERS SHD 


ULD STUDY PAGES J5, 22, £3, AND 


24 CAREFULLY 






ffP?\ 


/ 
/ 


' N i 
\ 

\ 

\ 




v4_^ 


« .1 

\ V 

N -- — 


1 












TUfAL 


YDS DATE i&7 




DEFEK TO THE M 


ANUAL AND IT WILL SAVE YOU TI 


ME AND MONEY 


TOTAL, 




V 

1 1 




%£) 


\ 


/ il 
/ 



139 



1- No OF SHOT 


1 


rr 


3 


4 


5 


G 


7 


8 


9 


10 


1 1 


12, 


13 


14- 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































, WIND GAUGE 
































■ " DIRECTION 
































\ WEATHER 
































■ LIGHT 
































THERMO 
) METER 


DRY 








- 
























WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































■No OF SHOT 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


e 


7 


B 


9 


10 


II 


IZ 


1-3 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEVATION 
































VyiND GAUGE 
































" DIRECTION 
































' WEATHER 
































LIGHT 
































THERMO] 


DRY 
































METER 


WET 
































BAROMETER 
































RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET | 


TIME 
































No OF SHOT 


1 


z 


^ 


4 


5 


s 


7 


8 


9 


10 


II 


\Z 


13 


14 


15 


SCORE 
































ELEWriGN 


- 






























1 WIND GAUGE 
































'^^ DIRECTION 
































! WEATHER 
































' LIGHT 
































THERMOI 


DRY 
































IVIETER 


WEIT 
































BAROMETER 
































. RIFLE SIGHT POWDER BULLET I 


JIME 


























1 



ORANGE POWDER. 

laliii«aMPi*C(i., 

26 Murray Street, New York City. 



The ORANQE MILLS, celebrated for 
seventy years, still find favor with Sportsmen. 

ORANG-E POWDER is recommended 
and used by Capt. A. H. Bogardus, the "Champion 
Wing Shot of the World." 



CREEDMOOR BRAND, 



The brand above mentioned possesses, with suffi- 
cient density, great strength and cleanliness, and it has 
commended itself to the most competent judges. 



RIFLE PRACTICE MADE EAST. 





TARGETS 




For all Ranges, from 35 to 1000 Yards. 

TlieiT PISTIIS 111 SCOll CUBS, 



ALSO, 



For testing the Pattern and Penetration of Shot Guns. 

SOLD BY DEALEHS IN SPORTINa GOODS. 



i On receipt of TEN CENTS, we wHl send by mail a 

ONE HUNDRED YARD TARGET, 

with Circular containing Major Henry Fulton's Rules foe, Private 
i Practice. 

I DEMISOU & CO., 

198 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 



L 



